Mary Wallace
Question:110 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will publish the response of transport operators participating in the free travel pass scheme to his inquiry concerning accessible facilities. [13870/96]
Written Answers. - Free Travel Pass Scheme.
As the Deputy is aware from previous questions she has raised on this issue, my Department has written to all the transport operators currently participating in the free travel pass scheme on the question of accessible transport. There are currently 52 operators which include the CIE group, Northern Ireland Railways, 37 private bus operators, 11 private ferry operators and 2 private airline operators.
To date, a total of 36 written replies have been received and reminders have been issued to those operators who have not yet responded.
In the light of the replies received to date, my Department is opening discussions with the operators on the question of upgrading the accessibility of the transport facilities provided under the free travel scheme. When this consultation process has been completed, consideration will be given to what changes, if any, are required in the contract conditions applying to the scheme.