Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is funding available for a wheelchair bus service in south Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29955/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​My Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the Greater Dublin Area and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced. Funding is also provided to the NTA to manage an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities.

Work to expand accessibility of existing coach services is on-going. During 2016 the NTA has begun the installation of wheelchair accessible bus stops across the Bus Éireann route network. The long-term objective is to install a wheelchair accessible bus stop in every town in the State. The NTA is rolling this out on a route-by-route basis starting this year with Bus Éireann routes 30 (Dublin-Donegal) and 32 (Dublin-Letterkenny).

Noting their responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a reply to the specific query raised.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.