Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
486. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of wheelchair accessibility at Spike Island tours; what steps his Department is taking to ensure that tourist sites are accessible to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19479/23]
View answer487. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the case of a proposed exhibition (details supplied) at Spike Island being put in jeopardy due to the lack of a wheelchair-accessible bus on the island; if he will take steps to ensure that issues of accessibility are appropriately addressed by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19480/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I am very aware of the barriers and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in terms of the accessibility of everyday life and I am indeed aware of the specific issues referenced by the Deputy.
I am committed to advancing the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, in line with the State’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Article 9 of the UNCRPD requires states to take appropriate measures to ensure equal access to facilities and services for people with disabilities, including transport services.
While my Department has a policy coordination role in relation to disability matters, it is important to note that all departments and public are responsible for ensuring that the needs and interests of persons with disabilities are met within their respective areas of responsibility.
In line with the ethos of the Convention, the delivery of services and supports for persons with disabilities is mainstreamed wherever possible within areas of existing responsibility, so that the principle of disability inclusion is embedded across State services.
As such, my Department has no direct role or powers in the regulation of public or private transport services or tourist sites.
A number of departments and agencies have responsibility for transport support schemes, ranging from the Department of Transport’s general responsibility for accessible public transport, to the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance and is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Responsibility for tourism lies with my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Under my Department's policy coordination function, I chaired a Transport Working Group as part of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to formulate proposals as to how transport supports could be better coordinated across the State. The Final Report of the Group was published earlier this year and is available on my Department’s website.
I have also introduced measures such as the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, which provides funding to assist in enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities in local and community life.
I will continue to work with colleagues across Government to remove barriers to accessibility and to ensure the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in our society.
