Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 4

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

152 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to introduce or facilitate the introduction of a dedicated transport service for the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10513/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The concept of a category of taxi which could meet the needs of people who use wheelchairs was introduced through the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1992. Under these and subsequent regulations, local authorities are responsible for determining the number of taxi, including wheelchair accessible taxi, licences which may be granted, for monitoring the adequacy of the taxi service in their areas and for deciding on action to ensure that the demand for these services is adequately met. A considerable number of licences for wheelchair accessible taxis has now been issued in the Dublin area. Responsibility for public transport more generally rests with the Minister for Public Enterprise.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

153 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the procedures, if any, in place to monitor the effectiveness of wheelchair accessible taxis in terms of the service they deliver to those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10514/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The operation and licensing of wheelchair accessible taxis, taxis, hackneys and their drivers is provided for under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 1999. Under these regulations local authorities are responsible for determining the number of taxi licences and wheelchair accessible taxi licences which may be granted, for monitoring the adequacy of the taxi service in their areas and for deciding on action to ensure that the demand for these services is adequately met.

The Dublin Taxi Forum addressed a comprehensive set of recommendations to a range of agencies including Government Departments, the Garda, local authorities and taxi service providers. The forum recommended a continuation of the policy whereby all new taxi licences issued in Dublin are wheelchair accessible. The forum also underlined the need for better marketing and organisation of taxi services generally, with the focus on consumer needs. It will be principally for the taxi industry to develop specific responses to this requirement, with the assistance as necessary of statutory agencies and other business interests. Among the specific forum recommendations addressed to taxi interests was a recommendation that a consumer focus panel be established with customer charter and complaints procedure and training for existing and new entrants to the business.

I am currently seeking to progress, with the various interests concerned, a range of improvements to the regulatory framework for taxis and hackneys, following closely the advice addressed to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government by the Dublin Taxi Forum. I consider, however, that active and customer friendly marketing of services, including those for disabled persons, must be primarily promoted by the service industry itself.