Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1690. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide clarity on the availability of access to public transport for persons with disabilities, specifically wheelchair-bound persons; his plans to upgrade the public transport network to ensure full disability access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33495/14]
View answerAccessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All (my Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005) and in the context of the Government’s National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan.
Transport Access for All sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes. This includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains, as well as urban & Intercity public transport buses/coaches accessible for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. The Plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people will be improved. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources. Targets in Transport Access for All are reflected in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan.
Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage.
In relation to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities my Department is funding an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities under the current capital plan. This programme is being managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department.
Significant progress has been made in recent years. All Iarnród Éireann’s operational rolling stock is internally accessible with the use of a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. The Dublin Bus fleet and Bus Éireann urban fleets in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo are 100% wheelchair accessible. LUAS is fully accessible.
While 56% of Bus Éireann’s coach fleet is wheelchair accessible an accessible service is only available on a limited number of routes. This is currently being addressed as part of the Accessibility Grants Programme. The NTA has undertaken an audit of bus stops and bus/rail stations which is close to completion and this work will facilitate the development a priority plan for further accessibility improvements.
The NTA has also recently launched a new €1m grant scheme to support the wider availability of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) in Ireland’s taxi fleet. Interest in the scheme has been good to date.
The potential for technology developments to help people with disabilities access transport services is also kept under review. Examples of this include the Real Time Ireland App which is ‘text to speech enabled’ to help the visually impaired. The Real Time signs also indicate the arrival of low floor buses for wheelchair users. The NTA is also enhancing the National Journey Planner to allow a request for a step-free journey which will assist those with a mobility impairment to plan their public transport journeys. The use of on-board announcements on Dublin Bus is also being introduced which will be particularly beneficial to the visually impaired.
I am committed to the ongoing improvement of access to public transport for persons with disabilities and will continue to provide capital funds for this purpose as part of the relevant capital plans.
