Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
141. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the scope of the Transport Working Group under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy which was recently reconvened; if it will include active travel particularly cycling in order to ensure fully inclusive access to transport and mobility for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5417/22]
View answerThe Transport Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) met at the end of January this year and was chaired by my colleague Minister Anne Rabbitte. The Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to drive Action 104 of the Strategy but its work was paused to prioritise initial responses to the pandemic, while the work of the main NDIS Steering Group continued.
Action 104 of the NDIS commits that ‘we will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.’
The Group’s membership is made up of relevant Government Departments and state agencies including the National Disability Authority and the National Transport Authority.
Following engagement with my colleague Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. last year, it was decided to use the Transport Working Group to assist in the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.
Active Travel is not an immediate focus of the Transport Working Group but that can be kept under review as the work of the group continues.
