Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

149 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise whether she has requested or received a report from the State companies within her remit on the number and proportion of their services which are accessible to persons with a disability; if she has satisfied herself that all new investments incorporate maximum accessibility in design; and if she will consider establishing a consultative group representative of persons with a disability to represent a users council for this often neglected area. [19656/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

It is my policy that all State companies should, as far as possible, make their services and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.

When undertaking new investments, it is a matter for the State companies themselves to make appropriate arrangements for incorporating accessibility features in new designs.

The CIE companies, in particular, are fully aware of my desire that transport providers maximise the accessibility and user-friendliness of their facilities. A transport accessibility committee meets on a regular basis. It is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and the National Rehabilitation Board. This committee provides the CIE companies with the opportunity to report regularly to my Department on progress in making their services and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

Aer Rianta has a disability liaison officer located at Dublin Airport and the National Rehabilitation Board carries out regular accessibility audits at State airports. Aer Lingus personnel ensure that the needs of customers with disabilities are properly catered for when travelling by air. Telecom Éireann provides a wide range of services for people with hearing and visual disabilities and these facilities are widely publicised. An Post has invested heavily in providing wheelchair access to post offices throughout the country.

The question of establishing a consultative group representative of people with disabilities would be more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I am pleased to report, however, that disabled users councils have already been established by the three CIE operating companies to afford people with disabilities the opportunity to assist them in their efforts to make their services as accessible as possible.