John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It struck me when listening to the Minister that the report will help the committee and the Department in their work to disability proof inclusion meaures in the context of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It enables both to state what is happening in dealing with the transport article in the convention. It is a great device to have. There is an Oireachtas disability group, while several disability organisations have met all of the Secretaries General and some of the Minister's colleagues recently. That is another way to spread responsibility for the work on various issues that fall beyond one Department. I compliment the Minister on putting folk with disabilities and lived experience on several boards. It is an initiative taken in his Department that could be sweetly followed by a host of other Departments. Fair play to him for doing so. The people with disabilities on those boards act as a conscience, a reminder to them that they are supposed to be providing a service for everybody. It is an important cultural element.

On point No.2, planning and decision-making, I understand the NTA is using a UN standard for accessibility in the acquisition of fleet vehicles which does not take into account powered wheelchairs.

The kind of powered, as opposed to push, wheelchairs that are available now are very different to what were available in the past. Many people can only get to the bus today because they have a powered wheelchair. If the bus is unable to accommodate that wheelchair, that may be an issue. I understand there is a European standard, EN 17161:2019, for accessibility for powered wheelchairs on buses.

As for priority seating in rail, I am getting reports and information that able-bodied people are reserving priority seating, which was and is intended for people who have mobility impairments. That seems a bit odd. How is that happening? Maybe that can be checked with Irish Rail.

I am glad to hear about the progress with the JAM card.

On orientation and wayfinding for people with visual impairments, I understand that Irish Rail has conducted a review of its signage and way guidance system and that it fully engaged with the disabled community in that regard. Funding, however, is a significant barrier to progressing this on a national basis. Can the Minister give a commitment on this matter or make a comment on how it can be sorted out? If funding is needed for it, will it be made available? It is a critical issue for people with visual impairments.

I refer to travel costs. The NTA is still permitting the charging of €5 per journey for people with disabilities to reserve seats on intercity services. These are people who have free travel. My understanding is that it is in breach of an EU regulation, which specifically states that people with disabilities should not pay a surcharge. That is something that needs to be looked at.

I have already mentioned the accessible taxi issue.

The 15th recommendation pertains to accountability. Has the NTA developed key performance indicators, KPIs, for the headings contained in this report? Does it have a template set out for how it will move on and measure progress? If it has done so, it would be good to see those KPIs and if it has not it is essential for it to do so to keep this matter moving.