Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Munster for her question. It is a good question and there is quite a lot behind what she has to say about the disabled. I will answer first of all about the improvements and then I will suggest what I think. I acknowledge that much remains to be done.

Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of my Department's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005, Transport Access for All.

The plan sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes and significant progress has been achieved in recent years. Transport Access for All was first published in 2006 and updated in 2012. It is scheduled for review and update in 2016-17.

The sectoral plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people will be improved. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources.

My Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This includes funding in 2016 for accessibility upgrade works at a number of rail stations, including Connolly Station, for accessible bus stops and bus stations, and for a wheelchair accessible taxi grant scheme.

In addition measures to provide for full accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and newer systems, such as the Luas, are fully accessible.

My Department also provides funding to the NTA for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the greater Dublin area and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 65% of Bus Éireann coaches, which are wheelchair accessible by lift, and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.

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