Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 3

Written Answers. - Interdepartmental Transport Accessibility Committee

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

180 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if a current progress report can be secured from the InterDepartmental Transport Accessibility Committee for the period up to and including 1995. [18222/95]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

181 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reports, if any, that have been issued by the Inter-Departmental Transport Accessibility Committee since 1993. [18223/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

The Interdepartmental Transport Accessibility Committee does not produce progress reports in its own right. However, my predecessors and I have outlined to the House on a number of occasions the progress which has been made to date in relation to the introduction of transport accessibility improvements.

The implementation of such improvements in transport infrastructure and services is essentially a matter for transport operators and others directly involved in the transport chain. In order to facilitate progress in this country, the committee to which the Deputy refers has been in existence since 1988, chaired by my Department. The committee pursues a policy of seeking to secure such improvements in accessibility to all modes of public transport as can be implemented within the resources available to transport providers and other relevant bodies, including the companies within the CIE Group, who participate fully in the committee's work. The implementation of this policy has led to considerable improvements in public transport access facilities for people with mobility handicaps.

In so far as rail services are concerned, it is now Iarnród Éireann's policy that all new rail vehicles will be accessible to people with disabilities. DART trains are wheelchair-accessible as are the new Arrow railcars, which also have wheelchair-accessible toilets. The new carriages for the Dublin-Belfast service will also have this facility, while the existing Intercity trains all have at least one dedicated area for wheelchair users in the dining cars. All major railway terminals and the majority of mainline and DART stations are wheelchair-accessible and it is company policy that all new stations and any major refurbishments of existing stations should make provision for the disabled. In addition, particular attention is being given to the needs of people with mobility handicaps in the design of the proposed light rail system for Dublin.

As regards bus services, both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann endeavour to obtain the most accessible and user-friendly vehicles available on a cost-effective basis. Both companies in replacing their urban fleets are guided by the recommended specifications of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, a UK statutory body which advises on the needs and requirements of the mobility impaired. Bus Éireann has also acquired over 160 improved coaches for its Expressway network, which include a facility whereby the front of the coach may be lowered to facilitate access.

Wheelchair users present the greatest accessibility challenge to bus operators, the main problem being the lack of affordable, operationally-proven and cost-effective wheelchair-accessible buses. In this connection, the introduction of more than 90 wheelchair-accessible taxis in the Dublin area represents a significant step towards providing a flexible, door-to-door facility corresponding to the particular needs of wheelchair users. Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann are monitoring technological and operational developments associated with wheelchair-accessible buses and I have requested both companies to accord high priority to affordable accessibility improvements in their fleet replacement programmes.

Meanwhile, Bus Átha Cliath, on behalf of the interdepartmental committee, has acquired a number of wheelchair-accessible minibuses to operate a service for the general public — the Omnilink service — on a pilot basis. The project was undertaken on the understanding that it would attract a grant of £592,000 under the EU Horizon Programme, representing a contribution to the capital and operating costs of the scheme over a two year period. In the event, total EU funding made available was limited to approximately £210,000 relating almost entirely to the capital element only. In view of the shortfall in the EU contribution, it was necessary to re-appraise the project. As a result, instead of the Clontarf-Finglas service (Route 103) originally proposed, a city centre service (Route 222) linking the O'Connell Street and St. Stephen's Green areas to the accessible DART system at Tara Street Station was introduced on 28 May last. All aspects of the pilot scheme are being reviewed by the committe.