Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
108. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on actions being taken to improve accessibility on public transport, including further reducing the period of advance notice people must give; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to improving accessibility across our public transport system, in line with the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030. A key part of this is reducing, and ultimately eliminating, the need for Advance Notice for disabled passengers.
I am pleased to state that clear and tangible progress is being made. Last year, Iarnród Éireann reduced the Advance Notice requirement to just one hour at 15 of the busiest stations across the network, covering almost all terminus stations and the majority of assistance requests.
Improving accessibility involves three main strands:
Embedding Universal Design in all new infrastructure and fleet,
Addressing legacy accessibility deficits, particularly in older, Victorian-era stations, and
Providing supports that enable independent travel wherever possible.
A good example of progress on new infrastructure is the DART+ fleet arriving next year. Each carriage will have an automatic sliding doorstep that deploys every time the doors open, significantly reducing the platform gap. This feature should eliminate the need for Advance Notice for most passengers using the new trains.
However, the bigger challenge lies with older infrastructure. To address this, my Department funds the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, delivered by the NTA, which upgrades existing bus and rail facilities. Recent examples include new accessible footbridges and lifts installed in Athy and Maynooth stations, with similar works ongoing at a number of other locations.
My objective is clear: disabled people should be able to access public transport on an equal basis with others. That requires a whole-of-journey approach, applying Universal Design principles and removing barriers such as the need for Advance Notice.
I remain committed to driving continued progress in this area, and look forward to further engaging with our key stakeholders under my Department's newly established Pillar 5 - Transport and Mobility Monitoring Group, due to meet in the coming weeks.
