Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that Ireland’s entire public transport fleet is accessible to people with disabilities and in particular, wheelchair users given that Ireland ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018; the timeline for the completion of that process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21848/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.

Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure.

The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will obligate statutory transport bodies to do an audit of disabled access throughout the country regarding public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.

Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure.

The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.