Wheelchair access on Bus Éireann routes
Deputy Murphy says some Bus Éireann routes are not wheelchair accessible and that transport for young people with disabilities must be fit for purpose. The Tánaiste says he will raise the matter with the relevant Minister and ask for a reply.
On people with disabilities, the programme for Government states, "We will examine transport service provision for young people with disabilities to ensure that the service is fit for purpose, consistent with their needs." A report commissioned in 2002 stated that a key responsibility for Government was to ensure that people with disability can move around freely to the best of their ability. A major component of this is the adequate provision of an integrated accessible public transport system. To my horror, I find out that a number of Bus Éireann routes are not wheelchair accessible. I watched a tourist recently trying to struggle onto a bus and, while I give full marks to the Bus Éireann staff who were excellent, it was appalling to see. A number of routes around the country are not accessible for people with disabilities. I implore the Tánaiste, as deputy head of Government, to take this matter in hand and ensure that Bus Éireann gets the budget to deal with this without delay.
