Vol. 557 No. 2
252 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the number of carriages in the Iarnród Éireann fleet accessible to people suffering from disabilities; and the percentage of the total number of carriages this represents. [21832/02]
Iarnród Éireann has a total of some 460 carriages in use on the rail network. The 182 DART and Arrow suburban railcars currently in use are fully accessible for people with disabilities, as are the 14 Enterprise carriages used on the Dublin-Belfast line. There are 196 Mark II and Mark III rail carriages in use on the other inter-city services. Each train set using these carriages has a dining carriage, which has been adapted to make it accessible.
There are 68 other carriages, which are not fully accessible, of which 44 are the 1960s vintage Craven carriages. Almost all of the Craven carriages are due to be replaced upon delivery of 80 new diesel rail cars which will begin to arrive very shortly and which will enter into service from early next summer. These railcars are fully accessible and their entry into service will significantly increase the percentage of totally accessible carriages on the network.
I am informed that wheelchair users who wish to travel on the reducing number of services that are completely inaccessible are advised of the next accessible service. If this is not suitable, Iarnród Éireann will arrange for the passenger to travel by taxi.
253 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail is in danger of losing more than ?10 million in EU structural funds due to the decision to suspend the Kildare Route project; if so, the basis for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21910/02]
Approximately €11.5 million has been made available by the EU Commission for planning and design work by Iarnród Éireann on the next phase of the Kildare route project. The first phase is expected to be completed late next year. I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that all the EU funds associated with this planning and design work, which is the subject of the application for EU funding, will be drawn down by the company.
