AQO 654/16-21

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 27/10/2016
Answered On Date: 15/11/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice whether a full disability access assessment will be carried out on Newtownards courthouse.

Answer:

Disabled access at Newtownards Courthouse includes ramped access to the building, power assisted doors and induction loop systems. A platform lift for wheelchair users or persons with reduced mobility allows disabled access to the courtrooms on the first floor. Lift access to the first floor court office is not available, but an area on the ground floor is available for disabled court users to access court office services. There are also disabled toilet facilities and a disabled parking bay within the court precincts.

The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service is committed to keep the issue of disability assess under review across the court estate including at Newtownards Courthouse and will be conducting an assessment at Newtownards early in 2017.