Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

Accessible public transport for people with mobility and sensory impairments is of crucial relevance to the lives of many. As Minister of State with responsibility for this area, I am committed to the comprehensive development of accessible public transport services for people with mobility and sensory impairments, as soon as possible, having regard to resources and technical and other constraints.

Issues concerning access to public transport go beyond the needs of people with disabilities and involve the accessibility needs of all people with mobility or sensory impairments, for example, people with small children or those carrying luggage etc. This position accords with the transport for all concept, which is accepted within the EU and the European Council of Transport Ministers.

My Department is fully engaged in planning for a comprehensive programme of accessible public transport improvements over the coming years. We have already accomplished a great deal of work in this area. As part of the national disability strategy, launched by the Taoiseach, my Department published its outline sectoral plan under the Disability Bill 2004 last September. This is a draft consultation document outlining the proposals of my Department and the agencies under its aegis for progressive development of accessible public transport. It covers public transport accessibility issues relating to bus and rail public transport, taxi services and airport facilities. The document summarises the progress achieved to date in developing public transport accessibility and outlines proposals for further improvements. I met the round table group working on the sectoral plans representing the various stakeholders among those with mobility impairments or sensory disabilities. I will meet with them several times to advance these plans, in so far as possible, in consultation and by agreement.

Much progress has been made recently in providing access to public transport. Since 2000 all major refurbishment programmes at bus and rail stations, together with the construction of new stations and the purchase of trains and buses take account of the needs of people with mobility and sensory impairment. It is right to build new stations and buy new trains and buses but that is the soft option. The more difficult option is to convert the Victorian railway stations and bus stations to which all Members can easily relate. That is what I am endeavouring to do. It should be a given that any new station and vehicle, whether bus or rail, takes account of the needs of those with mobility and sensory impairment, including a mother with a pushchair.

All new buses purchased for the urban services of the State-owned public transport operators are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. Dublin Bus operates 486 low-floor buses which represent approximately 45% of the fleet. Some 50 routes have been converted to low-floor bus operation. The entire regular urban bus fleets in Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Cork are fully low-floored and wheelchair accessible. In the rail sector all new rail carriages are specific to full accessibility standards and the Luas light rail system has been designed from the outset to be a fully accessible system. All suburban rail services are wheelchair accessible over most of the network. All appropriate staff in the State-owned bus and rail companies and in Luas undergo disability awareness training. While many accessibility improvements have been made in transport services and in infrastructure in recent years, much remains to be done. I would be delighted to be in a position to get it all done in a short period but we have to keep the services running and carry out the required works at the same time. The national development plan provides a strong foundation for building up accessible transport services over time and this may be extended so that we can look forward to a fully accessible transport service.

The following are key proposals of my Department's outline sectoral plans for the short to medium term. The policy of purchasing only low-floor wheelchair accessible vehicles by Bus Átha Cliath will continue until the fleet has been fully converted to low-floor vehicles. That policy will be maintained also by Bus Éireann in respect of its urban services in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. An accelerated investment programme is being undertaken by Bus Éireann to make all bus stations fully accessible by the end of 2006 for people with mobility and sensory impairments. Senator Burke may be aware that Ballina bus station which was opened by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, is fully accessible.

Bus Éireann will commence the process of replacing its inter-city coach fleet with wheelchair accessible coaches as soon as such vehicles become available. Basic access to all inter-city train services will be available for people with mobility and sensory impairment by the end of 2006. Approximately 50% of the rolling stock of inter-city rail services will be fully accessible by 2007. The remainder will be brought up to fully accessible standard as the fleet is replaced and expanded. We intend to meet those targets.

A railway station accessibility refurbishment project covering all stations on the rail network is being rolled out. The Commission for Taxi Regulation will have responsibility for developing the greater availability of taxis for people with mobility and sensory impairments. The representative bodies are having an input in that regard.

The accessibility policies put in place by Aer Rianta will continue at Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports by the relevant airport authorities. Future Exchequer funding for regional airports will be made contingent on these airports demonstrating compliance with best practice on accessibility for people with mobility and sensory impairments. The plan also covers matters relating to the formation by State agencies of disability user advisory groups, disability awareness training, integrated ticketing and real time passenger information.

While many of the proposals in the sectoral plan have been determined by provisions of the Disability Bill there is still an opportunity for interested parties to make their views known. I congratulate Senator Ulick Burke on raising this matter on the Adjournment and, hopefully, we can encourage more people to be aware of the work being done and also that discussions on the sectoral plan are under way and interested parties can make their views known.

As Minister of State with responsibility in this area I encourage all interested parties to study the plan's proposals carefully and to forward any views they may have to my Department. I also encourage Members to do likewise.

The National Disability Authority, together with my Department and five other Departments, is engaged in a series of regional meetings throughout the country publicising and explaining the sectoral plans. The regional meetings are intended for people with disabilities, carers, advocates, family, friends, service providers and the general public. The purpose of these meetings is to publicise the contents of the sectoral plan and to seek an informed debate and discussion on the proposals therein. I have already met the round table group. When the roll-out has been undertaken nationally I intend to meet the group again to ensure all the issues raised are accommodated.

I am pleased the Government is honouring its commitment in the programme for Government in regard to accessible transport issues with great determination. Senator Burke raised a number of issues, including the importance of bus stops. There is no point in having terminal buildings and vehicles in order unless it is a seamless system. I concur with his views on bus stops. There is no point in providing the transformation required at the bus terminal and the low-floor bus if one cannot mount or dismount at the bus stop. The Senator raised a valid point. Kassel kerbing is being rolled out in certain areas. What I want is a seamless system where people will be able to use whatever mode of transport they choose and travel A to Z on it.

The Senator raised also the taxi-hackney issue which is difficult to determine. I put it to the House and to the public that if somebody can come up with the appropriate vehicle that would be helpful but there is a difference of views by users and the various interested stakeholders as to the most appropriate vehicle.

On the issue of the disabled persons and passengers tax concessions, I am surprised to learn there is a big issue on the Revenue side. I was aware that some people were concerned in regard to obtaining the primary medical certificate. If people meet the criteria and are denied the tax concessions by the Revenue Commissioners I would welcome any information Senator Burke may be able to forward.

My objective is that all public transport operators should provide the highest possible degree of accessible transport having regard to what would be understood and accepted as normal constraints. I am aware that improving the accessibility of public transport brings benefits to all users, including the most able bodied. It is a policy that has a clear impact on the population at large.

The sectoral plan will provide the means for rolling out a comprehensive programme of accessible public transport during the next few years. All submissions received, together with the relevant inputs arising from the National Disability Association regional meetings will be taken into account in the finalisation of the plan. It is hoped to complete work on my Department's sectoral plan, following enactment of the Disability Bill and within the timeframe of one year thereafter, as provided for in the Bill. I hope that information is helpful to the House and, in particular, to Senator Burke.