Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
40. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the total funds raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge, by airport, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30087/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of how the moneys raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge have been spent over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30088/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra42. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport whether or not all the moneys raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge are spent on the provision of services/supports for people with reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30089/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 42, inclusive, together.
Irish airports and air carriers must comply with European Union Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility ("PRM") when travelling by air (“Regulation 1107”). The objective of this Regulation is to ensure “high and equivalent levels of protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market.” The Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA”) is the National Enforcement Body for Regulation 1107.
Article 8(3) of Regulation 1107 states that an airport may, on a non-discriminatory basis, levy a specific charge on airport users for the purpose of funding assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. The levy is specifically for the purposes of recovering the costs of providing the PRM service and cannot be used to fund other developments or services. This is monitored by the IAA. The amounts raised from the levy and the specific services they are spent on are operational matters for the airports. I have, therefore, forwarded your question to the Shannon Airport Group and daa (who have statutory responsibility for Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports) for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.
