Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Getting to and accessing Council Services

Welcome
Universal Accessibility
How to get Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Hall
Accessibility Features of County Hall
Safety
Management
County Hall - Ground Floor Plan

Welcome

Welcome to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Hall.

This booklet may be of assistance to anyone visiting or intending to visit County Hall for the first time, including new staff members. The purpose of this access booklet is to:

Advise you on how to get to Dún Laoghaire using various modes of transport.
Provide a simple way of listing and explaining the features and facilities of the County Hall.
Assist you moving around the approved public access areas of County Hall.
Identify means of escape in the event of an emergency
Identify areas that need to be kept clear to ensure maximum accessibility.
Confirm Management responsibilities regarding maintenance of access.

Universal Accessibility

While legislation provides for minimum standards in accessibility, universal accessibility takes this one step further.

It is a key concept that states that all environments should be accessible by everyone, regardless of ability.

Everybody is different and there is no 'average' person.

As a result, universal accessibility will benefit all because people with disabilities, people of small or tall stature, parents with buggies, delivery persons and so on, will have greater access to the built and external environments.

Management is a key feature in ensuring the day-to-day accessibility of a building.

How to get Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Hall

TheCounty Hall is located at the junction of Crofton Rd and Marine Rd opposite the DART station and very close to the ferry terminal.

Public Transport to Dún Laoghaire is by either DART or Dublin Bus Service.

The DART station is fully wheelchair accessible as is the route from the station to the County Hall.

The list below shows the Dublin Bus routes that serve Dún Laoghaire, (routes marked with * are wheelchair accessible).

46A*, 59*,746* (direct to airport), 75, 7*, 7A,111

There is a taxi rank at the top of Marine Rd. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Hall

The existing County Hall building is the result of the merging of three distinct separate buildings; namely the Old County Hall, the Old Post Office and a modern extension.

The Building, which won an RIAI Award for design, comprises three floors over ground level, with car parking at basement level.

There is 1 car-park space for wheelchair users.

Entry to County Hall proper from the car park is via a restricted entry door which will requires porter assistance.

The lift to all other floors is to the left just inside the door to the main building.

The office floors are laid out as a U-shape together with the former Town Hall and former Post Office forms a square in the middle of which is the Central Concourse.

There are four staircase 'cores' at the corners of the building beside which are located toilets, lifts and some technical services.

Wheel chair accessible toilets are located at core A on each level. Core A is at the corner of the building that is closest to the junction of Crofton and Marine Rd.

The Crofton Rd. staff entrance is at this core.

Core B is located at the furthest point along the Crofton Rd Side of the building.

Core C is that staircase immediately inside the sliding wooden door, through which only staff are permitted.

Core D is located immediately to the left as you walk down the small flight of steps from the information desk

A diagrammatic layout showing the general location of each Department can be found at the end of this booklet.

A colour coded signage scheme with a master plan located beside the stairway in the lobby area is being prepared at present and it is envisaged that this will greatly enhance the ability of a stranger to independently navigate their way around the building.

Accessibility Features of County Hall

The main entrance to County Hall is on Marine Rd opposite the Pavilion Theatre.

The Information Desk is just inside the front lobby.

Most queries can be handled at this point.

There is a low level desk for writing or taking notes and two internal telephone points.

To the right of the main entrance is a ramp to facilitate access to the concourse level.

At Concourse level there are public toilets to the left at the bottom of the stairway.

Most of the main public accessible offices are situated around the concourse in a square shape.

There is a public accessible lift beside the spiral staircase, which serves the Road Transportation , Environment and Legal Services public counters.

About 600 staff are based in County Hall. T

he 28 members of the Council have their regular meetings in the Council Chamber, which is located on the second floor of the old Town Hall.

Members of the public complete a wide range of business transactions on a daily basis and the building also serves as venue for exhibitions and seminars.

Safety

In the event of the fire alarm sounding you are required to leave the building via the most immediate fire safety exit, which are signposted throughout the building.

You are also required to follow the instructions of the fire marshals and porters.

If you have a mobility impairment and you find yourself on one of the upper floors when the fire alarm sounds you should make your way to the core A stairway (The right hand corner of the building as you look toward the DART station) where you will be offered assistance by staff who have received training in the use of evac chairs (see map at end).

The lift should not be used in the event of a fire.

Management

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Management has encouraged all of the staff to attend Customer Care Training including Disability Awareness training.

Any staff member will be happy to guide a customer around the building if requested to do so.

Several staff have sign language and are pleased to assist customers as requested.

All public documentation can be made available in alternative formats on request.

The County Council Management Team, staff and County Councillors are committed to ensuring that in terms of accessing the facilities of DLRCC, the experience will be a pleasant one.

If you have any difficulty in accessing our facilities or services please contact Corporate Services Department, level Three County Hall, Marine Rd.