Sorca Clarke
Question:44. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the investment that will be made in 2026 for the provision of disability user friendly public transport. [15275/26]
View answerWednesday, 25 February 2026
Questions (44)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
In light of my role, one of my core priorities is to ensure disabled people have the same ‘access of choice’ transport options as everyone else. Also from a policy perspective, the Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (NHRSDP) on 03 September 2025. Pillar 5 of the NHRSDP, 'Transport and Mobility', contains a number of priority transport actions which were developed with representatives of the disability community. In line with the agreed NHRSDP structures, these priority actions are the primary focus for all NHRSDP stakeholders this year.
There are three aspects to improving transport accessibility, including eliminating Advance Notice, namely ensuring a universal design approach towards new infrastructure, addressing legacy infrastructure deficits and providing supports for independent travel on the networks.
From a funding perspective, we have an ambitious programme of investment planned for the next five years, all of which will be adhere to the principles of universal design and therefore help deliver a more accessible and inclusive transport network in the years ahead. Ireland is undergoing the most significant public transport transformation in decades, driven by BusConnects, DART+ expansion, fleet electrification, Luas and active travel integration. For example, in 2026 the NTA will oversee the construction of two BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridors. The first, Liffey Valley to City Centre entered the construction phase in 2025, while the second, Ballymun-Finglas to City Centre, will enter construction later this year.
In addition to new infrastructure, I am pleased that I have been able to increase funding under the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme to €25m in 2026. We will maintain that increased level of retrofit funding under the new National Development Plan which includes accessibility enhancements to bus and train stations in rural and regional locations.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.
In light of the NTA's over-arching statutory responsibilities for accessible public transport, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.