Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the bus stations that are to be upgraded with regard to disability access; the projected timeline to completion of such works in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36001/22]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of National Transport Authority considerations in relation to the incorporation of wheelchair accessibility conditions on commercial licensed services, specifically the regular category of licensed services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36002/22]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to ensure the percentage of rail services that are wheelchair accessible which require persons to provide notice in order that such accessibility be availed of; the number of new carriages purchased or which have come into service since March 2020; the number of those that have retractable ramps; if there are any Government targets; his proposals to ensure full accessibility for persons with disabilities on the rail network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network. In addition, the NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport services, in both urban and rural areas, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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147. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Small public service vehicles (SPSVs) are regulated in Ireland by the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.   

However, I can inform the Deputy that Uber has been licensed by the NTA as a dispatch operator and has been operating as such in Ireland since 2014.  Since Uber is considered a transport service which offers the carriage of passengers for reward, it is subject to the same regulations as other SPSV operators. Dispatch operators are required to only provide bookings to SPSV licensed drivers using SPSV licensed vehicles. 

A fundamental tenet of Ireland’s SPSV regulatory regime is that only SPSV licensed drivers and vehicles are used for the carriage of passengers for reward, to protect the consumer and help ensure public safety.  The approach taken in Ireland in this area has been since adopted in other jurisdictions.  While there is a common misconception that the old-style Uber “random standard driving licence holder” still operates in the UK and throughout Europe, the Deputy should be aware that, after experiences of ride-hailing as recently described in the media, regulations have been changed in the UK to only permit police vetted and licensed drivers to operate – even for “rideshare” - in London.

Finally, I can confirm that I met with Uber representatives on 10th June last.  Uber is satisfied with the regulatory structure of the SPSV industry in Ireland, as it’s clear to the company how it can legally operate here.