Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
105. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the improvements planned in 2025 to ensure greater and more seamless access to public transport for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI know that for disabled people being able to make seamless journeys in accessible environments and on public transport are critical to their daily lives and active participation in society. Ensuring they have 'access of choice' and are empowered to access education, employment, health services and recreational activities on the same basis as everyone else is paramount.
During 2025, we are making public transport more accessible for disabled people, by firstly ensuring new services, facilities and infrastructure are accessible from the design stage. This means that, for example, new services under Bus Connects and the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan use accessible buses.
However, the real challenge is our older infrastructure, which is why we have allocated increased funding in 2025 to retrofit such legacy infrastructure. The 2025 allocation of €25m for the Public Transport Retrofit Programme is a 67% increase over the 2024 allocation. During 2025, the Programme is funding accessibility improvements in bus and train stations, the installation of accessible bus stops in rural and regional areas, the installation of accessible bus bays and the allocation of grant funding for more wheelchair accessible taxis. For example, funding under this Programme has contributed to the increase in wheelchair accessible taxis from 4% in 2024 to 25% in 2025.
It is also important to provide supports for disabled people, including those with hidden disabilities, to travel independently on public transport. During 2025, in line with the Programme for Government, our agencies will continue to provide Disability Awareness Training to front-line staff, and continue to promote the Just A Minute (JAM) card for those with communications difficulties. The NTA is also planning the expansion of the Independent Travel Support scheme, previously called the Travel Assist Scheme, to more regional areas following on from its success in the cities and its introduction in Galway in January 2025.
