Vol. 523 No. 1
314 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will make arrangements to set a definite date by which all public transport vehicles will be wheelchair accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19721/00]
It is my policy that all transport operators, and in particular the State transport companies, should provide the highest possible degree of accessibility to disabled or mobility impaired people within the overall resources available to them. Under the national development plan, from this year onwards, all major refurbishment projects at bus and rail stations, together with purchases of trains and buses will take account of the needs of mobility impaired customers. Specifically with regard to urban public transport I am very happy to say that from this year onwards all new buses purchased for the urban services of Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann will be low floor. The implementation of Government policy in relation to the provision of accessible public transport by the three CIE companies is proceeding very satisfactorily.
