Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will take responsibility for ensuring fully accessible transport, including door-to-door services, under his remit to ensure full accessibility and that such services would be covered under the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55083/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to (open) public transport. I am fully committed to strengthening our public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for disabled people, persons with disabilities, persons with reduced mobility and older people.
However, I must emphasise to the Deputy that specialised non-public (closed) door-to-door services do not fall under my aegis. Dedicated transport services, for example disability type transport services, fall outside of the remit of my Department and its agencies. For further information, the Free travel Scheme comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, and can be used on all PSO funded services and commercial bus services who have opted into the scheme.
