Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are provisions to address the requirement for individuals with additional accessibility needs, such as wheelchair users, to have to ring a minimum of one hour in advance and up to a maximum of 12 hours in advance to use Irish Rail and Luas services (details supplied). [63559/25]

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 met with members of the disability sector on 29 September 2025 for a constructive dialogue around our shared ambition to ensure 100% transport accessibility in Ireland. The Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People on 3rd September 2025. In line with the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the strategy puts great importance on engagement with disabled people. Pillar 5 of the strategy, 'Transport and Mobility' contains a number of transport priority actions. I really welcomed the opportunity to hear views on transport accessibility and the new strategy’s actions. It was a valuable and rewarding exchange with Disabled Person Organisations, service providers, Disability User Groups, and board representatives from transport operators.

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, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.

In light of Irish Rail and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) having responsibilities for rail and light rail (Luas) services respectively, I have referred your question to the both companies for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.