Vol. 527 No. 5
112 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of individuals and organisations which submitted their written views on the proposals for a new institutional and regulatory framework for public transport; when she will report on these submissions; and if work has taken place in preparing the necessary legislative and other measures to give effect to the proposed reforms. [29071/00]
Some 32 submissions have been received to date on the proposals set out in the Government's consultation document, A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport, which was published by my Department in September 2000.
I have also consulted the social partners through the public transport partnership forum established in accordance with the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
My officials are now proceeding with the background work to flesh out the policy framework set out in the consultation paper. The views expressed in the submissions are being taken into account during the course of this process. I am pleased to say in this context that the responses are very encouraging and most have welcomed the broad thrust of the Government's proposals.
113 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give an estimate of the proportion of the bus fleet in Dublin Bus and in Bus Éireann which are wheelchair accessible; the proportion of the new fleet acquired in the last two years which are wheelchair accessible; and if she will make a statement on the progress being made in providing an accessible service. [29072/00]
I refute completely the suggestion that there has been slow progress in the provision of accessible transport.
In June 1997 Bus Éireann had one wheelchair accessible bus in operation in its urban fleet. There are now 110 in service and within the time frame of the national development plan Bus Éireann's urban fleet will be 100% wheelchair accessible.
As to Dublin Bus, only five buses were wheelchair accessible in June 1997. Currently 23% of Dublin Bus's fleet is wheelchair accessible. Over the period of the national development plan Dublin Bus hopes to reach a low-floor target of 60% for its fleet.
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 and the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness gave commitments to the establishment of a public transport accessibility committee. The committee is composed of representatives of a number of organisations representing the disabled and mobility impaired, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Bus Éireann, Iarnrod Éireann and Dublin Bus. It held its first meeting on 11 July 2000 and is continuing to meet on a monthly basis.
