Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Transport the percentage of Bus Átha Cliath buses that can accommodate passengers with impaired mobility. [23432/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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All buses purchased by Dublin Bus since 2000 are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. I understand from the company that over 72% of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet are now in this category. This figure will increase each year as the bus fleet is replaced and expanded and all buses will be accessible by 2012 in line with Transport Access for All, my Department's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister did not acquire a hybrid car so the House cannot really expect him to get an electric one although he is supposed to lead the way in these matters.

I understand that at the end of last year about 60% of the Dublin Bus fleet was accessible. The target date is 2012. Will that target be met? The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, will have some knowledge about complaints in various parts of the city that some bus garages, for instance, Clontarf, did not seem to be getting their fair share of the new, accessible and most impressive looking buses by the end of last year. Has the Minister spoken to Dublin Bus about this to ensure that the new fleet is brought into place throughout the region? People with disabilities have suffered in this regard because of ideological reasons because there was no will to go forward with the additional fleet for Dublin Bus until the present Minister took office. If that fleet had been renewed as the company wished it to be, we would now be much further down the road to full accessibility. Is it not the case that the Government is responsible for opposing its own strategy on disability?

People around the country have expressed concerns to me about the Bus Éireann fleet. Some, including drivers, have said that although big, new impressive buses are now in use these buses are not completely accessible. There are difficulties with them although they have other strengths. Does the Minister have concerns about the Bus Éireann fleet?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not agree with the Deputy's point. The plan for roll-out of accessible buses is in accordance with the commitments given under Transport 21, the national development plan and transport access for all plan. It is on time and living up to those commitments. That document is out for consultation at present and the target date for its finish is 2012. I have no reason to believe that we will not make that deadline. Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and CIE are to be commended on the way in which they are handling transport access for all and my Department's sectoral plan and trying to implement them. I join Deputy Broughan in complimenting them in this regard.

The Bus Éireann city fleet in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford are all low-floor and wheelchair accessible. There was a problem until recently concerning availability of accessible coaches suitable for inter-city and long-distance services. The company had not kept pace with the availability of such buses for urban services so to a certain extent our country cousins were losing out as a result. The reason for that was that coaches were built to allow for underfloor luggage space so that passenger entry was by way of steps and a narrow doorway. That has now been rectified and accessible coaches are being manufactured and becoming available. Since last year all Bus Éireann coaches are accessible just as its buses are.

There is an issue concerning bus stops about which there must be consultation with certain local authorities. Perhaps the Deputy adverted to this matter. Specific provision must be provided at bus stops so that low-floor wheelchair accessible vehicles may use them. There is ongoing dialogue with some local authorities to try to ensure that this is done