Vol. 472 No. 2
46 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current position regarding the question of accessible transport with operators receiving funds from the free travel pass scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22275/96]
While I am anxious to ensure people with disabilities are enabled to avail fully of the free travel scheme, I have been advised that it is very difficult to modify existing public transport vehicles to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, and particularly those who use wheelchairs. At the very least, boarding ramps and extra hand rails would be required on each vehicle along with specially reserved spaces on board.
Rather than attempt to adapt existing buses, it is the view of CIE, for example, that it would be more appropriate to purchase new vehicles specially designed for passengers with disabilities. Clearly, the costs involved would be substantial but it is my view that the needs of people with disabilities cannot continue to be ignored.
The recently published report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities makes a number of recommendations in the area of mobility and access to transport. It recommends, for instance, that every CIE, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus depot should have at least one accessible bus by June 1997. It further recommends that the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications should subsidise the additional costs of such vehicles. In this regard my Department will be consulting with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications regarding the issue of accessible transport generally.
My Department's free travel scheme is expected to cost a total of £32.88 million this year, of which private operators will receive a sum of £1.25 million.
