Irish government office has no accessible bathroom for disabled visitors for more than a year

From The Herald in Dublin, Ireland. It's nice to see the Irish media covering these issues.

Disabled visitors to a Government minister's office have spent 12 months using a hotel toilet across the road -- despite the department splurging more than €3m on consultants.

Wheelchair users who attend the Department of Transport offices at Clare Street in Dublin 2 are being advised by staff to "go across the road" to the Mont Clare Hotel to use the facilities there. According to sources, the toilets have been out of order and not fixed for almost 12 months -- despite the department spending more than 3 million Euros on consultancy contracts over the same period.

One member of the public contacted the Herald after he discovered that the disabled toilet at the building's reception area was out of order, and embarrassed staff asked him to travel across the road to use the bathroom there.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "When I went to use the bathroom I saw that it was covered in plastic. I spoke with reception staff and they were really embarrassed and just asked me discreetly if I could use the facilities across the road.

"They said it had been that way for a while and that there was no other disabled toilet in the building."

The Herald understands that the toilet at the offices has been closed for up to 12 months. The offices have a higher than usual number of disabled users, who attended the building for regular meetings on transport accessibility issues.

Michael Doyle, spokesman for the Irish Wheelchair Association, described the situation as "unacceptable".

"It's one thing if a bathroom is out of order for a few days or so, but if this has been going on for 12 months it is just not on.

"The Department of Transport has been one of the leading bodies in progressing issues for wheelchair users and it's very disappointing to hear of this."

A department spokeswoman said: "There have been increasing concerns over the past year about its general condition and suitability.

"Some minor repair works are currently underway to improve the facilities, expected to be completed next week.

"A specific plan to refurbish the disabled facilities to a high standard is currently being progressed. Completion of this project is scheduled for the early part of this year.

She added: "Expenditure in relation to other areas of the Department of Transport has no bearing on our obligations to provide accessible services."