Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Committee on Disability Matters

Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Kevin O'Brien:

We provide bikes all over Ireland. We have over 500 bikes out so far. People can apply online to us. They apply from Cork, where we have given out loads of bikes, to Donegal, and all over the country, so the programme does not target any specific area. We give them out all over the country. It does not matter if the person is in a rural area. In rural areas, people with additional mobility needs may need power to get the bike up hills, etc. They can also apply. People who apply through our programme can apply for the mobility bikes. They are free to go as long as the bikes are medical device regulation, MDR, approved, which means they are compliant with European standards. Anyone can apply. There used to be an age limit because we are a charity which helps children up to the age of 19. We have removed that from the programme now, so age does not matter. The age is not limited now. That is thanks to the HSE working, again, with the Minister, Deputy Foley, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister for Transport. We have lifted that ceiling now so anyone can apply.