As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a funding perspective, I'm pleased that I have been able to increase funding allocated under the Accessibility Retrofit Programme by 67% in 2025 and 2026 as compared to 2024. We will maintain that increased level of funding under the National Development Plan. The Programme funds a number of public transport accessibility projects and programmes including the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) grant scheme managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
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, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As queries relating to the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, including the WAV grant schemes, are a matter for the NTA, 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.
