Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop and implement a solution to the mind the gap issue on trains in order to allow wheelchair users to get off and on trains at all stops throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38764/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Accessibility features are built into all new public transport investment projects from the design stage.  For instance, as a new component of Ireland's rail infrastructure, the entire Luas system has been designed to enable full accessibility.  By contrast, however, Ireland's heavy rail network is considerably older and, while new facilities on the network are built to modern accessibility standards, it is technically much more difficult and more expensive to retro-fit or upgrade the existing infrastructure and rolling stock, so alternative arrangements may be necessary to facilitate access for all at certain stations.

The design of platforms and the type of rolling stock used on the heavy rail network are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann.  I am informed by the company that due to different types of trains in use on the network and the operational need for non-stop train services to pass through stations at speed, it is not possible to build out platforms (to facilitate easier wheelchair access between platform and train) without compromising safety standards on the railway by causing an increased risk of contact by moving trains with the platforms. For this reason, the company considers that the current practice of staff assisting boarding passengers, with ramps where necessary, is the best solution currently available.

To enable this, it is Iarnród Éireann's policy to have a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations and portable wheelchair ramps are also located on board InterCitytrains.  A member of staff is required to safely deploy the ramp for use from either the station or train.  The only alternative to the use of portable ramps is for electric ramps to be permanently fitted on board trains; but the company has explained that, due to their complexity, electric ramps cannot be retro-fitted on to existing rolling stock on the Iarnród Éireann network.  It is intended that all purchases of new rolling stock will incorporate, where feasible, new technological advances in wheelchair assistance. 

In relation to stations, I understand that at least 84 out of the 143 railway stations on the Iarnród Éireann network have received accessibility upgrades or were constructed new to accessibility standards.  Some lightly used stations may not be fully upgraded and instead, passengers with mobility and sensory impairments within the catchment area of those stations will continue to be facilitated by Iarnród Éireann through the provision of a taxi or hackney to the nearest accessible station;  this is arranged at a local level.