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Departmental Strategies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (104)

Holly Cairns

Question:

104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the progress made towards action 100 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [21098/22]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, I am fully committed to strengthening public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for Persons with Disabilities, Persons with Reduced Mobility, and Older People. To this end, all new transport infrastructure and services are accessible from the start and older facilities are gradually being retrofitted.

I welcome the significant progress that has been made by the NTA and public transport operators on delivering NDIS Action 100. A few examples of this progress include: the Lift Renewal and Replacement Programme in Irish Rail as well as the planned lift upgrades for the Luas network; audio and visual ‘next stop’ announcements on all Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead buses; greater accessibility requirements for operator websites and apps; and an improving standard of disability awareness training for staff. Progress and further engagement is monitored and facilitated through the regular NDIS Steering Group meetings which my Department attends.

Additional action, particularly around upgrading older facilities, is still required. To this end, my Department is funding a multi-annual Accessibility Retrofit Programme which will deliver more accessible bus stops in rural and regional areas, upgrade bus bays and train stations, improve access for wheelchair users, and provide grant support to increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis. Over €15m has been allocated to advance these measures this year.

Furthermore, in line with the NDIS action, a number of initiatives are also underway to promote independent travel for Persons with Disabilities. Such measures include Disability Awareness Training for public transport frontline staff, the rollout of the Just A Minute (JAM) Card to assist anyone with a communications difficulty, and ensuring that information is provided in accessible formats. The NTA also plans to roll out the Travel Assist Scheme to Cork later this year. This Scheme has been successfully operating for 13 years in the Greater Dublin Area and has proven to give people with disabilities the confidence to use public transport.

While my Department and its Agencies has responsibility for open public transport services only, we will also continue to work with other Departments and Agencies which have responsibility for dedicated and specialist disability transport services. Together we are ensuring a more accessible network across the country.

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