Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
183. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the level of expenditure on the transitioning of the public transport system to be fully accessible for those with disabilities in 2023; and projected expenditure in 2024 and 2025. [41568/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids, are built into all new public transport infrastructure from the design stage. Newer systems such as LUAS are fully accessible. However, there are legacy issues in relation to older infrastructure and facilities, for example our Victorian era railway stations.
To address these infrastructural legacy issues, my Department funds the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme which is managed by the NTA. This funding facilitates the continued roll-out of the programmes outlined above to progressively make public transport accessible. This includes the installation of accessible bus stops, the upgrading of train stations to make them accessible to wheelchair users and the provision of grant support for the introduction of more WAVs into the taxi fleet. In 2023, the REV allocation was €18m with total funding to the NTA for the Accessibility Retrofit Programme being €19.8m. The REV allocation in 2024 is €15m, and the 2025 indicative allocation is €25m.
