Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Questions (31, 32)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

31. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of buses in the public bus service in County Clare that have wheelchair access; the details of recent tendering processes that took place for the provision of bus services in County Clare through the LocalLink programme as part of Transport for Ireland; if there was a stipulation made in the contracts to provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13800/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

32. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if there has been a reduction in wheelchair-accessible services on any of the routes that were previously provided by a company (details supplied) which now do not have the contracts for the routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/21]

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.