Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is envisaged that the policy of operating buses that are not wheelchair accessible on Bus Éireann's inter-urban and long distance commuter routes is to be allowed continue by the national bus company; the number of new coaches which have been provided by Bus Éireann on inter-urban and long distance commuter routes since 1997; the number which are wheelchair accessible; the amount which has been allocated to Bus Éireann from the National Development Plan to provide new coaches on long distance commuter and inter-urban routes; the percentage of that funding which is provided from EU sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27505/06]

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 understand that the availability of accessible coaches from vehicle manufacturers for intercity services has not kept pace with these developments.

I have been informed by Bus Éireann that the number of new coaches which have been provided by the company on inter-urban and long distance commuter routes since 1997 and the number which are wheelchair accessible is as set out in the following table.

Some €19 million Exchequer funding has to date been allocated under the National Development Plan to provide for new coaches on some inter-urban routes. There was no funding provided from EU sources. However, Expressway coaches are not funded by the Exchequer; these are funded from within the company's own resources.

As regards the future, 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 in the design of their vehicles and such vehicles are only now coming on the market.

My Department with assistance from a team under the Public Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC) including Bus Éireann 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 Department's forthcoming Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act.