Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Transport the success and progress of his Department's policy with regard to transport for all, especially to ensure easy access for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has finalised a Sectorial Plan on Accessible Transport in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Act 2005. The Plan titled 'Transport Access for All' addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across all transport modes and contains time bound targets for the progressive realisation of accessible transport in Ireland. It has been prepared following an extensive consultation exercise involving meetings and discussions with transport providers together with a wide range of groups in the disability sector.

The Plan, along with the sectorial plans of five other Departments, was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 20 July 2006 as required by the Disability Act 2005 and was formally launched by the Government on 21 July 2006. All six sectorial plans have now been approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas enabling them to take effect.

A number of measures to achieve the implementation of 'Transport Access for All' have already been put in place, including the provision of funding under Transport 21 and the extension of the remit of the Public Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC) to incorporate a monitoring role. In addition, a Maritime Forum to oversee the implementation and review of the Maritime Passenger Section of the Plan is currently being formed.

All new buses purchased by the CIE companies for urban services are now low floor and wheelchair accessible. Similarly in the rail sector all new rail rolling stock is specified to full accessibility standards. Good progress has been made by Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann in upgrading their respective stations to cater for the needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. This work is continuing. Also, Luas has been designed from the outset to be a fully accessible system and the Commission for Taxi Regulation is proposing measures to aidpeople with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.

Each of the CIE operating companies, the Dublin Airport Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency / Veolia Transport have established disability users groups to advise them on accessibility matters at the company level.

My Department's Sectorial Plan contains a number of provisions to facilitate the monitoring of progress on its implementation. These include the incorporation of progress reports in the Department's annual reports as well as participation in interdepartmental co-ordinating and monitoring structures for the National Disability Strategy. In addition, each agency under the aegis of my Department that is required by statute to prepare and/or publish an annual report, will be requested to provide in their annual reports a progress report on the implementation of the relevant sections of the Sectorial Plan.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of closed circuit television cameras on public transport buses here; and the number in operation. [35907/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have no function in relation to this matter. It is an operational matter for Bus Átha Cliath.