Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of those who lobby on behalf of people with disabilities (details supplied) that one in three ramps on the Dublin Bus fleet are not working; if he is confident that Dublin Bus is adhering to his Department's sectoral plan for accessible public transport; if he will extend the remit of the Public Transport Accessibility Committee to a role of monitoring and examining such concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from Dublin Bus that it has in operation a programme of inspection for its bus ramps, that defects with the ramp mechanism are to be reported on a daily basis and repaired as quickly as possible. Dublin Bus also informs me that it will take immediate action on comments from any member of the public who highlight instances of ramps not working. In the light of the Deputy's question, I have referred the concerns raised to the company for consideration and for reply to her direct.

The Department of Transport's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 is now in draft format and is undergoing a final consultation process prior to being completed and presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas by end July 2006, as required by the Act. Dublin Bus has co-operated fully in the development of those sections of the Draft Plan which relate to its services.

Dublin Bus is a member of the Public Transport Accessibility Committee whose remit will be expanded under the Department's Sectoral Plan to include a monitoring role in relation to progress by the agencies under the aegis of the Department in implementing the Sectoral Plan and evaluating the impact of the Plan on people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.