Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current policy in relation to wheelchair access on the DART, commuter and inter-city trains; his future plans to make the trains more accessible for wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53241/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department’s policy in relation to accessible public transport is contained in my Department Sectoral Plan 2012 under the Disability Act 2005 Transport Access for All whichsets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible transport across all modes of transport. With regard to Iarnród Eireann this includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains accessible to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments accessible subject to available resources. Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Funding is also being provided for accessibility improvements to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities as resources allow.

I understand from Iarnród Eireann that all operational rolling stock on the  DART, Commuter and Intercity trains are accessible for persons of reduced mobility. Iarnród Eireann's current policy is to have a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. In addition they are also located on board Inter-City trains. As a member of staff is required to safely deploy the ramp for use from either the station or train advance notice of at least 24 hours is required. While Iarnród Eireann has no plans at present to purchase new rolling stock which would provide electronic ramps, I recently asked them to investigate the feasibility of retro-fitting electronic ramps on the DART fleet.