Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on a recent proposal by Bus Éireann to purchase new buses which are not wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21927/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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While there has been significant progress in the development of accessible buses for urban, commuter and other local inter-urban services, I am informed that the availability of accessible coaches, mainly for intercity services, has not kept pace with these developments.

My Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 will be published shortly and it will address the question of accessible coaches in the light of the COST 349 Report. The Report, based on a major 4-year European research project, made recommendations in October 2005 in respect of accessibility matters for coach type vehicles. A number of manufacturers are now beginning to put the recommendations into practice on their vehicles. The COST 349 report follows the contract placed for new buses by Bus Eireann in July 2005.

My Department with assistance from a team under the Public Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC) including Bus Eireann and the National Disability Authority is monitoring developments in the design and availability of accessible coaches and the outcome of these discussions will determine future procurement policy. I will address the issue of accessible coaches in the context of my Departments' forthcoming sectoral plan under the Disability Act.