Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the IAA’s passenger advisory group has not met since November 2022; when the group will be re-established; what actions will be taken to expand its representation of disability organisations within the membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26953/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 21 May 2024, if the IAA can publish its airport inspection reports online as they are not currently accessible; to publish the PRM wait time scores received by Dublin Airport in 2023; to publish the performance by Dublin Airport in the surveying of satisfaction with PRM assistance and facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26954/24]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

120. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how much of Dublin Airport’s PRM levy goes towards enhancing accessibility for disabled persons who choose to navigate the airport without assistance; what actions are being taken to improve its accessible infrastructure and what funding is attached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26955/24]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how many Irish airports have plans to provide a changing places facility and a dog spending room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 121, inclusive, together.

Irish Airports must comply with European Union Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility ("PRM") when travelling by air (“Regulation 1107”). The objective of this Regulation is to ensure “high and equivalent levels of protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market.” The Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA”) is the National Enforcement Body for Regulation 1107.

In relation to the issues raised by the Deputies, I am informed by the IAA that the position is as follows:

The IAA's Passenger Advisory Group ("PAG") is a group that represents the range and diversity of passengers to assist the IAA in its regulatory decision making process and to improve its understanding of what is important to passengers at Dublin Airport. The PAG is consulted during the regulatory decision making process that falls within the scope set out in Decision CP12/2018 on Passenger Advisory Group and Passenger Engagement Guidelines in Regulatory Decision Making for Dublin Airport, which can be found on the IAA website at the following address: www.iaa.ie/commercial-aviation/economic-regulation/airport-charges/policy-papers. The PAG is, therefore, convened by the IAA only when there is a regulatory decision making process within the scope and terms of reference of this Decision. The next Determination on Airport Charges will occur in 2026 as the current charges will cease at the end of December 2026. This regulatory function will necessitate a Passenger Advisory Group consultation.

The PAG comprises a range of organisations that represent the diversity of passengers at Dublin Airport. It includes representatives from the following groups of passengers: leisure, elderly, youth/family, business, people with reduced mobility and people with disabilities. All groups of passengers are represented on the PAG and the IAA will continue to monitor the current organisations to ensure that everyone’s views are heard. The IAA endeavours to appoint passenger representatives to ensure the group reflects the views of the majority of passengers at Dublin Airport.

In relation to the publication of inspection and performance reports, the IAA has completed all inspections of Irish airports for 2023. These reports are in the process of being finalised and will be published on the IAA's website when they are ready. The IAA's 2023 Final Price Cap Statement has been published on their website, www.iaa.ie. This Statement outlines the Quality of Service penalties and bonuses for Dublin Airport for PRM assistance and other airport facilities for 2022.

In relation to the airport levy, Article 8(3) of Regulation 1107 states that an airport may, on a non-discriminatory basis, levy a specific charge on airport users for the purpose of funding assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. The levy is specifically for the purposes of recovering the costs of providing the PRM service and cannot be used to fund other developments or services. This is monitored by the IAA. Any initiatives taken outside of this Regulation are an operational matter for Dublin Airport. I have, therefore, forwarded your question to daa for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.

In relation to the provision of changing places facilities and dog spending rooms, this is also an operational matter for each individual airport. I have, therefore, forwarded this question to the Shannon Airport Group and to daa (who have statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin and Cork and Shannon Airports) for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.