Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of transport for people with disabilities attending HSE funded day services, particularly St. Michael’s House. I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position in this regard. I will also deal with some of the individual questions the Deputy asked.

The provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE funded day services is not a core health service, but I am fully aware of how important transport is for people with disabilities who attend day services. As a general rule, public transport should be used in all circumstances where it is an option. I accept the Deputy’s point that some disabilities are complex so public transport is not an option. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. It must be noted that, in general, day service users are in receipt of a disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the free travel pass so there should be no additional cost at an individual level. That relates particularly to those individuals with disabilities who are on their way to independent living or able to access public transport.

New developments to meet the needs of school leavers with disabilities who require continuing HSE funded supports each year are located as close as possible to where people reside so as to reduce the travel time for each person and enable them to be more connected with their local community.

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Funding is not provided to service providers for the transportation of young people to and from day services. The HSE is aware of the difficulties being experienced by parents with regard to transport for school leavers. In this regard, one of the options is to arrange transport and cover the cost by reducing the quantum of service the clients would receive. However, it is my understanding that this option is not viable in the context of St. Michael's House as the clients in question are not attending day services in the same location.

The HSE has also committed to establishing a high level, cross divisional working group this year to rationalise the provision of transport and to maximise equitable access and efficiencies. The HSE also intends to liaise with the National Transport Authority, NTA, and disability service providers to explore ways in which the authority’s services could assist people with disabilities. I understand that the NTA has a total of 17 transport co-ordinating units, called Local Link, which provide safe, secure and reliable public transport services in local and rural areas of Ireland through a combination of scheduled public transport and door-to-door services. The HSE plans to explore the opportunities these units may provide to people with disabilities to access day services and participate in the social, educational and economic life of their local communities.

I would add that I will be meeting representatives from St. Michael's House in the very near future.

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