Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding that has been provided in the last three years to upgrade public rail and bus transport to accommodate wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36750/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities the National Transport Authority (NTA) is funding an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. In the region of €13 million has been provided from my Department's capital funds to the NTA since 2011 to upgrade the accessibility infrastructure and facilities of Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and Iarnrod Eireann and for grants to increase the number of accessible taxis. For example funding is being provided to improve accessibility through major works at Charleville rail station, new lifts to platforms at Connnolly station, bus bays at Letterkenny bus station, accessible bus stops around the country  and for the refurbishment of 255 access ramps on Dublin Bus buses.

Also under the capital plan, the NTA funds a rolling programme of bus replacement for Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann PSO routes. In the region of €105 million will have been spent on PSO bus replacement under the current capital plan by the end of 2015. This programme has enabled the Dublin Bus fleet and Bus Éireann urban fleets in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo to be 100% wheelchair accessible.  The Bus Eireann PSO Coach fleet will be 60% accessible by the end of 2015.

The NTA is  also funding technology developments to help people with disabilities access transport services.  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.

Funding for ongoing accessibility  improvements  to existing infrastructure will continue under my Departments capital plans.

Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage.