Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
52 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the extra funding that will be made available to enable his Department’s sectorial plan for accessible public transport to be developed; the way in which this extra funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32387/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to respond to this question as I have good news for the Deputy. My Department has embarked upon a major programme of investment in public transport which involves €2.5 billion up to 2009. It is a requirement of my Department that all new public transport projects submitted for Exchequer or EU financing include proposals to incorporate into the design and construction of the project full accessibility to approved standards or best practice. State bodies submitting projects for approval are no longer asked to identify the additional cost of incorporating full accessibility standards or best practice. Such standards are now treated as the norm. Actual funding will be made contingent on the companies concerned demonstrating that the projects are developed in compliance with best practice in this regard.
Good progress on accessible public transport is being made. I recently attended a European conference in Dublin Castle where Ireland was applauded on the progress being made. The Irish position in that regard is set out in the outline sectoral plan published in September 2004. I have had discussions with my Department's officials to open this plan for discussion with all the relevant stakeholders. I would be happy to hear the views of Deputy Stanton as we progress that discussion in early 2005.
I wish the Minister of State well with the project. When will the Dublin Bus fleet be fully accessible? I note a target that 60% of the fleet will be accessible by 2005. However, his Department's sectoral plan contains no targets as to when the fleet will be fully accessible. When does he expect the fleet will be fully accessible? Will the Minister of State update me on the progress being made at railway stations? His plan states that 134 stations are taking part in a new refurbishment programme. How many stations are accessible? Will he give a timescale as to when he expects all the stations to be fully accessible?
Close to 50% of the Bus Átha Cliath fleet are low floor wheelchair accessible vehicles. The policy of only purchasing such vehicles will continue. Not only are the buses running but we are now putting in the Kassell kerbing at all the bus stops. So far as I am aware, all bus stations are fully accessible. Great progress has been made in that area. On the issue of train stations, it is somewhat more difficult to make the transformation at some of the older Victorian stations but we are making progress in that area also.
What is the timeframe for train stations to be accessible? How many are accessible at present? Can the Minister give details of the timeframe envisaged in the plan? If he cannot give such details now, perhaps he can pass on the information at a later stage. When will Dublin Bus have a fully accessible fleet? What targets are in place in that regard?
I have already said that progress has been made and that approximately 50% of Dublin Bus's fleet is accessible. I will continue to pursue the programme as best I can in 2005. Bus Éireann is engaged in an accelerated investment programme to make all bus stations fully accessible by 2006. I hope we will be in a strong position by the end of 2006. New facilities such as Luas are also fully accessible.
The Deputy asked about the overall timeframe. I remind him that there will be a review at the end of 2006 to see what is left. I hope the review will be concluded by 2007. It is envisaged that almost 50% of rolling stock on inter-city railway services will be fully accessible by 2007. The railway station refurbishment programme, which covers all stations, is being implemented at present but it is more difficult, as I mentioned earlier.
What about the timeframe?
The timeframe will be 2007 and onwards.
