Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the condition of DART and train stations across Dublin Bay North (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63444/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I rise to speak about transport across my constituency, especially regarding the DART and to see overall investment in the DART train stations in Clontarf, Killester, Harmonstown and Raheny and up to Clongriffin and out to Howth. There is a huge need for investment. I understand there is going to be a large investment going in. My issue is that I was at multiple meetings of residents and they had not been consulted on the current changes to the platforms. This is the matter I would like to raise.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy very much for raising the question. I assure him my Department and the agencies that work under it are all fully aware of the need to ensure we have a transport system designed for all users and accessible to everyone. We have made progress in this regard in recent years, but still there is a lot to be done. We are committed to that work in the years ahead to deliver on the ambition of pillar 5 of the new national human rights strategy for disabled people.

Turning specifically to rail, Iarnród Éireann continuously works to enhance accessibility upgrades to all stations and services, and the investment programmes, to ensure that accessibility is integrated from design stage to fruition. This includes engagement with the Irish Rail disability users group and other disability representative bodies throughout the course of design. Focusing on the specifics of the Deputy's question regarding DART stations in north Dublin, these stations are inspected and maintained on a continuous basis to ensure Iarnród Éireann meets the required standards in terms of accessibility and customer experience. All DART stations in north Dublin are accessible by means of a lift, platform or ramp. The big lift programme saw investment in existing lifts at 52 stations across the network between 2020 and 2024, significantly improving lift reliability. The liftcall system is also in place at most station lifts, ensuring live monitored access and preventing vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

All stations undergo cyclical work and general maintenance, with minor station improvements as required. For example, Iarnród Éireann is currently replacing stairwells at the Clontarf Road station that were due for renewal. Iarnród Éireann is satisfied at this time that no station is in current disrepair. However, if there is a specific issue at a particular station that the Deputy wants to raise, I would be happy to go back to Irish Rail-Iarnród Éireann on his behalf.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State very much for that reply. A lot of the DART stations on the northside are currently not updating their social media quickly when lifts are unavailable to let people with accessibility issues know this is the case. They then get off at the station, and have to go through the process of getting to another station. In relation to what I said about the Donaghmede estate residents, we have changes going on in the Donaghmede-Howth Junction station. Iarnród Éireann has insisted it did a leaflet drop in the area to consult the residents, but I was at a meeting of more than 150 residents and they had not received a single leaflet. I have emailed Iarnród Éireann through our Oireachtas email query facility. I would like it to be clarified by Iarnród Éireann when the leaflet drops happened and the information notices were displayed in the Donaghmede area, what streets and estates were included in these drops and the corresponding dates on which this occurred. I ask this because the company is not answering my queries, so I hope it might answer the Minister of State.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am just looking here at information for the Howth station. Some general maintenance and cyclical work are being carried out, including line marking and nosing on stairwells. An anti-slip surface will be placed on all stairwells. Access to all platforms via lifts or stairs is the accessibility element. On the Deputy's specific question of what Iarnród Éireann did before it carried out works and the notification thereof, I will go back to the company and try to find out what it did and get the answers for him. If he wants to give me the specific questions, I will go back to Iarnród Éireann on them.

Of all the stations, many are mentioned in the reply.

There are ten or 12 stations and work is being carried out on them all to keep them all right with accessibility on every one of them: ramps to platforms, ramps and lift to platform 1 and a ramp to platform 2 and platforms via accessible ramps. The accessibility standards have been set out for each one of them. The one in Clongriffin underwent significant improvement works and the tender has gone out for the replacement of the stairwells there. On that lift and stairs, Iarnród Éireann does not own the stairs and lifts that lead to the coast development and has not at any time been responsible for their maintenance. Maybe my things are getting confused as well.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit and I appreciate that he will address that. It is ridiculous that when it comes to the next election, it is politicians who will be taking the brunt on public transport, as the Minister of State knows himself. When I send an email, from the office of a Deputy, I do not get a response from Iarnród Éireann asking for a clear date and time of when a drop happened. The northside has been neglected for far too long. I do not know if it was previous TDs on the northside who went fighting for them or what was happening. There are some stations that only have shelters for the southside users. This is something I am trying to fight for, but if you look at this, people in Donaghmede and Kilbarrack did not receive a leaflet drop. Their station is going to be changed. The people who use that station to commute to work every day would definitely have a better say than some engineer who is going to be plopped onto that project and will not have a clue about where there needs to be a ramp for a buggy or for someone who has accessibility needs. That is why I would like if the Minister of State would, and I appreciate that his office will, look in on behalf of these residents to see why they were not consulted because they have a right to be.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept what Deputy Heneghan is saying in that we have to have public engagement when we are carrying out works so people know what is going on. The Deputy might send to my office what the issues and problems are and what the stations are. He mentioned Kilbarrack there. It says here line-marking and nosing of stairwell and it talks about surface repairs but, if the Deputy sends me the list and the time the works were carried out, I will get an answer for him.

It is an important thread that is coming through all night in the questions. Where you have customer dissatisfaction, the important thing is that if we hear about it and we try to get corrective action. At the end of the day, my philosophy and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is that if somebody is using public transport, we need to give them a response and an experience such that they will continue to use public transport and be able to rely on it. That is important, especially for people with disabilities. I know Deputy Heneghan is very passionate about that.