Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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351. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. My Department also provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the development of a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the GDA and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 65% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.

My Department also funds an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This includes funding in 2016 for accessibility upgrade works at a number of rail stations, for accessible bus stops & bus stations and for a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme. 

The Accessibility Grants Programme is being managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department.  I understand from the Authority that making the rest of public transport services (including bus, rail stations and the rail fleet) fully accessible for people with disabilities would cost over €170 million.