Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
66. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38519/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As required under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), my Department has in place a disability consultative committee, known as the Accessibility Consultative Committee (ACC). The ACC’s role is to monitor and review progress in relation to the implementation of actions under the NDIS where my Department and/or its agencies, have the lead role. Membership of the ACC is drawn from:
- organisations representing people with disabilities;
- members of the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG);
- key agencies under the aegis of my Department; and
- other relevant State Agencies.
Further information on the ACC, including the minutes of ACC meetings, and presentations to the ACC can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/ae763e-accessibility-consultative-committee/.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) plans to set up a Transport User Advisory Group in 2021. This will involve all the various groups who avail of the services provided by the NTA. It will
include users of various modes of public transport, for example people with disabilities and older people.
Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead, Iarnród Éireann and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
each have an Access Officer and a Disability User Group. The User Groups provide a forum for operators to consult with and update disability organisations on accessibility proposals and developments, and for disability organisations to raise operational and other accessibility issues.
