Vol. 462 No. 1
61 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the action, if any, he has taken following his promise to address the issue of accessible transport with operators receiving funds from the free travel pass scheme. [1212/96]
Arising from the Deputy's previous question on this matter, I undertook to contact each of the transport operators currently participating in the free travel pass scheme on the question of accessible transport. There are currently 48 operators which include the CIE Group, Northern Ireland Railways, 36 private bus operators, nine private ferry operators and one private airline operator. My Department wrote to each of them last November requesting details of any arrangements which they had in place to cater for the specific needs of disabled or infirm people wishing to use their transport services.
In particular, the transport operators were asked: if their drivers were encouraged to assist disabled passengers in embarking or disembarking from their vehicles; if they had boarding ramps to enable wheelchair users to embark and disembark in safety; if they had spaces on board their vehicles which were set aside for the exclusive use of disabled passengers; what plans, if any, they had to provide such facilities in the near future, and if they had any other ideas on how access for disabled people might be improved on the transport services they provide.
To date, a total of 34 replies have been received and reminders have issued to those operators who have not yet responded. Most of the operators who have replied have indicated that they were able to provide some form of facility for the disabled. All of them stated that their drivers assist disabled people in whatever way possible. Some respondents said that they would be prepared to adapt their vehicles or invest in new vehicles if they received financial assistance from my Department.
I will review the situation in the light of the responses received from all transport operators to see what can be done to further address the issue of accessible transport for infirm people or people with disabilities within the scope of my Department's free travel scheme.
