Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport. The operation of DART stations is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and is not an issue in respect of which I have any statutory function.

For customers requiring assistance, Iarnród Éireann plans to confirm new arrangements for mobility-impaired customers shortly which will dramatically reduce the current advance notification period and ensure a better response when customers requiring assistance cannot give notice. These new arrangements are being designed following extensive customer research and liaison with the company's disability users' group.

It is absolutely imperative that people with disabilities are accommodated and we should aspire to the ideal we both mentioned. Like every service, CIÉ, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus must continually adapt and change in line with trends in customer behaviour and technology. We cannot ignore advancing technology.

Regarding the issue of station staffing which the Deputy mentioned, I understand from Iarnród Éireann that this is under review in response to changed customer behaviour, with customers moving to prepaid ticketing and ticket vending machines. This obviously alters the pattern of how stations are staffed. The company has indicated that key stations such as Killester and Sandymount, which are adjacent to major facilities for the mobility-impaired, will always be staffed.

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