Results 12,241-12,260 of 19,173 for speaker:Shane Ross

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I believe there are 12,000 bus stops in the State so they are doing an audit to see which stops need the work. We probably will not provide the committee with big detail but we can give a rough idea.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: We can give that information to the committee, without the exact figures. Deputy Troy referred to the 3% employment target by public bodies for persons with a disability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Yes, my own Department is 4.5%. Its target is 6% under the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities. I do not have the figures for the other Departments but my Department is meeting its targets very adequately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I would not have that information here but I will get it for the Deputy. The issue about the travel pass is a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and not one for me. I am willing to answer-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The final arbiter there would be the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection but I will convey those views to it. The motorised transport grant is a matter for the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities but I understand there is legislation planned for that. On parking in disabled places, I cannot remember what I promised the Deputy but I think there will be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I was going to say what I promised will be fulfilled-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: -----but I do not know what he promised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I can tell the Deputy that is progressing. I hope to be able to report something to the Deputy about it soon. One should not think it has been neglected. It has not. Sometimes such minor matters can run into difficulties with lawyers and others, but it is progressing. It will be finalised soon. The Deputy asked about the UN. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I will revert to Deputy Troy on the 19 actions. The Deputy wants a report on what we have achieved on the NDIS and the CES.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I will do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Okay. That is fine. Deputy Barry was next. On the staffing of stations, the Deputy stated all stations have to be staffed. I understand the point. I am not sure that the Deputy is correct. That is why we have this pilot on the DART. The pilot will hopefully come up with the answer to the Deputy's question on whether hubs are effective. At present, there are only two stations, maybe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I understand the coach is a different type of bus. It is what they call a high-floor bus. The problem is it is difficult for those with a disability to get in and out of such buses. There are also mismatches - some referred to it - between the pavements and the bus stops. The NTA is addressing this problem by looking at smaller short-distance buses for 50 km journeys. They should be able...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not know specifically what the Deputy is referring to, but I think the Department is responding pretty aggressively and responsively. Is Deputy Catherine Murphy referring to the European Accessibility Act?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: The officials are responding with parallel work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I do not know what engagement there is at the moment between the officials. I will ask them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I have a note here. I will get more detail on this issue for the Deputy. However, I am told that the Department of Justice and Equality is the lead Department and we are feeding into its work. That applies to both the strategies we are talking about, namely, the CES and the NDIS. The Department of Justice and Equality is leading on the proposed European Accessibility Act. I will provide...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Yes. They will be part of the NDP. I cannot imagine any situation whereby the same requirement of full accessibility would not apply. It is a given, as far as I am concerned.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: I will ask my officials to raise the matter with Irish Rail tomorrow. The Deputy is referring to a particular report. I will try to get hold of it. Is the report ten years old?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: Does the Deputy know the title of the report?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2018)

Shane Ross: If it is in the Department, we will.