Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending. They will be aware that over the past few months many concerns have been raised about wheelchair lifts not working in railway stations. My understanding is that there were perhaps 13 such cases, but that has since reduced to eight across the country. Perhaps the witnesses could provide an update on that issue. I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, about it. Every few days she posts about the issue. I ask the witnesses to provide an update on that.

Second, an earlier contributor spoke about the Luas. I understand that there was meant to be an app so that someone could book a place on a service. Perhaps it has been launched, but I understand that it was supposed to happen earlier this year. Can the witnesses confirm if that has happened? Is the app up and running? It is important that it happens. Working with all the different disability groups is most important.

My third question is for the representatives of the TII. It is great to see that we have town bus services. I am working on getting a town bus service for Carlow town. It is a priority and I have spoken to the Minister on several occasions about it. Kilkenny town has a service. Is the Kilkenny town bus service wheelchair accessible? It is important to know, because I have not seen it. Hopefully, the Carlow town service will be established shortly.

On the issue of rural communities, and rural Carlow in particular, it is important that there is communication with people with disabilities who live in rural areas. The accessibility of taxi services is an example of another area that needs to be addressed to ensure that there are sufficient wheelchair accessible taxis.

In general, it is important there is communication with the various bodies and that everybody works together. When surveys are done and people with disabilities have their say, it is important we listen but we must also deliver. I would like the guests to come back to me about the level of funding required for the areas they have identified they need to address.