My Department and the relevant Agencies, namely the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and National Transport Authority (NTA), are committed to delivering on our commitments under the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The position in relation to Objective 1.5 - Enable people as they age 'to get out and about' through the provision of accessible, affordable, and flexible transport systems in both rural and urban areas - is as follows.
1.5.1 - Barriers to people continuing to use their own transport
Medical rules relating to fitness to drive have been reviewed by the RSA and recommendations will shortly be made to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport proposing some changes to those rules as they apply to drivers over the age of 70. The RSA has also developed a road safety programme specifically designed for older road users called 'Mobility Matters'.
A strategic partnership has been developed with Active Retirement Ireland to deliver this programme nationally in conjunction with their regional development officers and locally via the local active retirement leaders.
My Department has been assured by Insurance Ireland, who are the representative body for insurers in Ireland, that there are no loadings for age. Insurers will also facilitate owners who cannot drive their vehicles any longer so that they may continue their insurance policy with themselves excluded but with a named driver in their place. This allows them to keep any no-claims bonuses they have earned and keep the costs down for the individual.
1.5.2 - Age Friendly public transport
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, the DTTAS Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people, including older people, will be improved. However, while many targets have already been achieved, much remains to be done and work in that regard is on-going.
The NTA is committed to:
- achieving a fully accessible subsidised bus fleet as quickly as financial resources allow;
- increasing the level of wheelchair accessible services provided by other (i.e. non-subsidised) bus operators;
- improving the accessibility and quality of bus waiting areas;
- further improving the quality and dissemination of information about bus and rail services; and
- supporting the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys.
1.5.3 - Integration of Rural Transport Programme with other local transport services
The Rural Transport Programme is being restructured with a view to:
- achieving better integration of rural transport services with other bus and rail services; and
- co-ordinating and integrating health-related transport services with other rural transport services.
1.5.4 - Public transport linkages to major health facilities
The NTA is:
- examining the scope for improving access by public transport services to major health facilities;
- planning for any proposed improvement to public transport accessibility at health facilities; and
- examining the use of demand responsive services in urban and rural areas to serve major health facilities.
