The publication A Strategy for Equality: Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities states:
People with disabilities are the neglected citizens of Ireland. On the eve of the 21st century, many of them suffer intolerable conditions because of outdated social and economic policies and unthinking public attitudes. Changes have begun to come about, influenced by international recognition that disability is a social rather than a medical issue, but many of those changes have been piecemeal. Public attitudes towards disability are still based on charity rather than on rights, and the odds are stacked against people with disabilities at almost every turn. Whether their status is looked at in terms of economics, information, education, mobility or housing, they are treated as second class citizens.
Unfortunately that is the background and culture against which we discuss this issue.
As I have said before in the House, people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities, those with a mental handicap, their families, advocates and carers have for far too long heard words like "mainstream", "integrate", "empower" and "enable". What they have experienced and continue to experience is marginalisation and exclusion. There are many examples of this in relation to transport.
Mr. John Doyle recently held a vigil outside the headquarters of CIE to protest about the lack of wheelchair accessible public transport. When interviewed on radio one morning he described how, in order to use public transport, he must be carried on to a bus or must be willing to crawl on to a bus. An order was placed recently for 150 new non-accessible buses. The fact that the buses are not accessible to wheelchair users was seen as almost incidental. The needs and rights of persons with a disability have, yet again, been overlooked.
The same problem arises with taxis. It is evident that while the recently issued taxi licences were contingent on the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis, there is no similar onus on the individual taxi owner or on taxi companies to use their accessible taxis to transport wheelchair users. How can people be empowered if they cannot get a taxi? How mainstream are they if they cannot travel down the main street or access public buildings?
Vantastic was started by the Centre for Independent Living in late 1994 as a way of addressing in the short to medium term the lack of accessible public transport for the disabled. Eight vans operate in the greater Dublin area. It was run as a FÁS community employment scheme and the service continued until 9 June this year when it had to be suspended due to lack of funding. Up to 300 people were using the service in a variety of ways, some to go to work and some for social activities. In the absence of proper transport facilities for the disabled, a service such as this should have financial support from Government. As I have outlined, mainstream transport facili ties are not accessible to the disabled and the attempts of Vantastic to establish a locally based service must surely be supported. It should be helped to develop strategic partners to deliver and develop the service.
One of the key issues at present is the lack of transport facilities for disabled people that respond directly to their needs. This service was never meant to replace proper public transport for the disabled. However, it is clear that a variety of initiatives are needed and will continue to be needed if we are serious about actively including disabled people in our society. Supporting schemes such as Vantastic should surely form part of this. Other cities manage to supply door-to-door services. Why are we different and why have the commitments entered into some years ago not been implemented?
Representatives of Vantastic met with the Taoiseach on 17 May 1999 and the Minister of State with responsibility for equality was also briefed on the issue. What has happened since those meetings? What Department has responsibility for this issue? I understand people are being sent from Department to Department and it is not clear that one Department will take responsibility for the development of the service.
