Vol. 420 No. 3
117 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the Government policy for handicapped people to avail of public transport and, in particular, if she will outline if any of the present DART carriages are fitted with an automatic ramp for use by the handicapped or if any new DART carriages purchased will have such ramps.
As indicated in paragraph 117 of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, it is Government policy that transport providers must, on an ongoing basis, give attention to improving accessibility to transport for persons with disabilities, as resources permit. The InterDepartmental Transport Accessibility Committee, chaired by my Department, are charged with establishing priorities for attention and with advising transport providers as to the appropriate measures to be taken in their particular circumstances. In doing their work, the Committee have maintained regular contact with representative organisations concerned.
Passenger carriages on DART trains can be accessed directly from station platforms without any need for a ramp. Accordingly, Iarnród Éireann does not propose to fit such ramps.
Improving access to DART or other rail services is a matter for Iarnród Éireann, as resources permit. I regret that there are no funds at my disposal for the purpose.
