Written answers

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Public Transport

Photo of Imelda MunsterImelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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641. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation in 2017 and 2018 for investment in making public transport accessible for wheelchair users; the spend in each of those years on bus stations, buses and coaches, coach stops on PSO services, railway stations, the rail fleet and taxis and hackneys.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31804/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.

Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids are built into all new public infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Newer systems such as LUAS are fully accessible.

My Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade older existing infrastructure and facilities which is managed by the NTA. The overall allocation to the accessibility retro-fit programme in 2017 was €3 million. In Budget 2018 I secured a trebling of the funding for the retro-fit programme to €28 million as part of 4 year capital envelope for public transport announced for the period 2018 to 2021. €4 million of that funding has been allocated for 2018.

In light of the NTA's responsibility for managing the retro-fit programme, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for further response to you. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.

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