Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and I join him in thanking Colin Dempsey for his work on this project and bringing it to the Deputy's attention, and the Deputy, in turn, bringing it to the attention of the Dáil. He is right that everyone wants to see an efficient public transport system but other issues also matter. Safety and inclusion also matter. As we go about out daily lives, all of us want people to access public transport in a way that is inclusive and safe. My understanding is that disability awareness training, DAT, is provided by all public transport operators. The PSO contracts have a condition that the staff DAT has to be renewed every three years. As part of DAT, they now also have to give consideration to the issue of hidden disabilities as well. I will follow up with the specifics in terms of what the Deputy raised for very good reasons and I will ask that the Minister comes back to him and Colin on this matter.

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