To ask the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AWQ 38732/11-15, what measures are in place to ensure that disability awareness and equality training is (i) available for; and (ii) attended by, all frontline public transport staff.

I recognise the need for all frontline public transport staff to be appropriately trained in disability and equality awareness, and the role that this can play in enabling people with a disability to fully participate in the community.

Translink has confirmed that it continues to provide disability awareness training to its driving staff as part of their induction process, and that equality and diversity issues are routinely covered in training modules to enable bus drivers to achieve the Certificate of Professional Competence. All other customer-facing staff such as Conductors, station staff, customer service co-ordinators and Translink Rail Services staff also receive regular training in these areas. Translink staff are bound by the company’s Dignity at Work and Equal Opportunity policies.

Other transport providers such as the Rural Community Transport Partnerships and Disability Action which are funded by my Department have confirmed that they have provided disability awareness and equality training to all front line staff.