Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As part of the public transport investment programme, my Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the PSO fleet and a grant scheme to increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys in the small public service vehicle (SPSV) fleet. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus Éireann coach fleet and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced. The number of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys currently stands at 1,263 which represents over 6% of the total SPSV fleet. As regards commercial bus operators, the NTA is the regulator of licensed bus services and all commercial operators must apply for a licence under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.  The NTA does not currently require commercial bus operators to use wheelchair accessible vehicles in order to qualify for a licence for the provision of public bus services.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the number of wheelchair accessible public service vehicles. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.