Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Wheelchair Accessible Taxis.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

343 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will ensure that taxi owners who advertise their wheelchair accessible taxis agree to take advance bookings, in view of the fact that disabled people need to plan in advance for their various trips, engagements and so on. [11850/98]

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

359 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received complaints from the public regarding the limited availability of wheelchair accessible taxis; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some people with disabilities are experiencing difficulties in pre-booking these taxis; and the action, if any, he proposes to take to address this problem. [12261/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 359 together.

Considerable progress is being made in improving the quality and quantity of wheelchair accessible taxis. It is a matter for the local authorities concerned, in the first instance, to monitor the adequacy of service to the disabled community arising from the new arrangements now being operated, and if necessary to suggest regulatory changes to my Department. At this stage, no such proposals have been made to my Department by any local authority or group representative of people with disabilities. However the Irish Council for People with Disabilities has recently made a submission to the Dublin Taxi Forum which is seeking to develop a shared vision for the improvement of taxi services in the area. I will have regard to the recommendations of the forum when they become available.