Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public Transport Access for Disabled.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

35 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for the disabled using public transport in Dublin, as outlined in the booklet Access and Mobility for Disabled People in Dublin produced by the group, Action for Mobility; if he will consider initiating discussions with the interests involved with regard to the provision of better access to public transport for the disabled; if he will consider making money available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

In April 1990 I announced a three-point action plan to assist persons with disabilities: first, in the context of future purchase of buses and trains strict priority will be given to those that suit the handicapped and mobility impaired; second, the programme for adapting both railway and DART stations will be accelerated; and finally, I have instructed the Government's special committee on accessibility and for mobility for handicapped persons to immediately prepare a three-year action programme fully costed and timed to be ready for 1 July to improve accessibility to all forms of transport including sea and air links.

In furtherance of that plan, a three-year action programme covering all modes of transport was prepared and is being implemented as resources permit.

Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann are committed to acquiring improved vehicles as replacements fall due and already about one-sixth of Bus Átha Cliath's fleet of double deck buses has been replaced by improved vehicles with lower entry steps etc. Substantial expenditure has been incurred by Iarnród Éireann in the major refurbishment of Tara Street railway station, with the addition of lifts and escalators to platforms, and in the provision of four new accessible suburban railway stations on the Dublin-Mullingar line. Further improvements to DART and other railway stations will be pursued according as resources become available. I regret that there are no additional funds at my disposal for the purpose.

As indicated in paragraph 117 of theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, it is Government policy that transport providers must, on an ongoing basis, give attention to improving accessibility to transport for persons with disabilities, as resources permit. The InterDepartmental Transport Accessibility Committee, chaired by my Department, are charged with establishing priorities for attention and with advising transport providers as to the appropriate measures to be taken in their particular circumstances. In doing their work, the committee have maintained regular contact with action for mobility and other representative organisations concerned.