Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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1666. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding public transport for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34863/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 Transport Access for Allsets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes. This includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains, as well as urban & Intercity public transport buses/coaches accessible for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources. Targets in Transport Access for Allare also reflected in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan.

There is on-going consultation between the representatives of various disability organisations and my Department’s Accessibility Consultative Committee and many of the issues raised by the correspondent have been raised and are being constantly reviewed.

Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and this has enabled the Luas to be fully accessible. In relation to  existing public transport infrastructure and facilities my Department is funding an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This programme is being managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department.

Significant progress has been made in recent years but it is accepted that more work remains to be done. All Iarnrod Eireann’s operational rolling stock is internally accessible with the use of a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. I understand that Iarnrod Eireann will ensure that a member of staff is available to help a wheelchair user once they receive 24 hours notice of the times of both the inward and outward journeys. Over 55% of existing stations have also received significant accessibility upgrades. At the request of the NTA, Iarnrod Eireann is preparing a report  on rail station accessibility and this will focus on low-cost solutions to achieve wheelchair access to station platforms on a priority basis.

The Dublin Bus fleet and Bus Éireann urban fleets in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo are 100% wheelchair accessible. With regard to Dublin Bus, I understand their newer buses have one  wheelchair space plus one buggy space and these spaces are also more clearly marked. There is a refurbishment programme of 255 access ramps on buses underway, the majority of which are now complete. The use of on-board announcements on Dublin Bus is being introduced which will be particularly beneficial to the visually impaired. Dublin Bus also receives funding for a Travel Assistant Scheme to help those members of public who need help to access public transport and I understand this scheme continues to be well received.

While 56% of Bus Éireann’s coach fleet is wheelchair accessible, an accessible service is only available on a limited number of routes. This is currently being addressed as part of the accessibility grants programme A number of accessible bus stops have been approved for upgrade in 2014 and this work is being progressed. The NTA has also undertaken a national audit of bus stops and bus stations which is close to completion which will facilitate the development a priority plan for further accessibility improvements.

With regard to accessible taxis, the NTA has recently launched a new €1m grant scheme to support the wider availability of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) in Ireland’s taxi fleet. Interest in the scheme has been good to date.

The potential for technology developments to help people with disabilities access transport services is also kept under review.  Examples of this include the Real Time Ireland App which is ‘text to speech enabled’ to help the visually impaired. The Real Time signs also indicate the arrival of low-floor buses for wheelchair users. The NTA is also enhancing the National Journey Planner to allow a request for a step-free journey which will assist those with a mobility impairment to plan their public transport journeys. 

I am committed to the on-going improvement of access to public transport for persons with disabilities and will continue to provide capital funds for this purpose as part of the relevant capital plans.