Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role of his Department in the Transport Working Group review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; if he can provide an update on when its proposals will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61007/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to (open) public transport.

I am fully committed to strengthening our public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for disabled people, persons with disabilities, persons with reduced mobility and older people.

It is the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) which is chairing the Working Group arising from commitments under both the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the Make Work Pay Report, to review the current provision of disability transport and mobility schemes across Government Departments, agencies, and local authorities. Therefore, it is DCEDIY who would be best placed to inform you on the publishing timeline.

The group aims to develop a plan to enhance options for travel to work or employment for persons with disabilities, efficiently utilising available transport resources. My Department and the NTA are working with the other Departments and Agencies that have responsibility for individualised, personalised transport support schemes. This includes the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which comes under the remit of the Minister for Finance.