Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns from rural transport providers and disability rights advocacy groups surrounding the lack of legislation governing the safe transportation of passengers who are wheelchair users; if his attention has further been drawn to the suggestion from such groups that some transport providers are not ensuring that wheelchair passengers are properly secured while in transit, including reports that operators are transporting wheelchair users without applying tie-downs, seat belts or occupant restraints as is advisable; his plans to introduce legislation that will guarantee a safe passage for all passengers who require the use of a wheelchair while travelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30142/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department has received one query regarding this issue which my officials have brought to the attention of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the agency responsible for the implementation of the Rural Transport Programme.

Ensuring that all our citizens are transported safely is of the utmost priority for both my Department and its Agencies and to this end the NTA will discuss this matter with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Currently, under the existing European Communities Road Vehicles: Type-Approval Regulations 2009 - S.I. 158 of 2009,new vehicles with wheelchair accommodation, including buses, must be fitted with a wheelchair user restraint system before being permitted to enter into service.

Road Traffic Construction, Equipment and Use Regulations (CE&U) are also applicable in the context of the carriage of wheelchair users in vehicles. Under these Regulations wheelchairs must be securely attached to the vehicle using appropriate tie down devices or occupant restraints systems so that no danger is liable to be caused to the individual concerned or to other occupants.

In addition, Large Public Service Vehicles licensed by An Garda Síochána must undergo a physical inspection to ensure compliance with CE&U Regulations before being issued with a license.  The vehicle must be safe, in the opinion of the Garda Public Service Vehicle inspector, for the transport services it is being licensed for.

I have no proposals to introduce further legislation at this stage.