Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. If Clare Accessible Transport wishes to challenge the decision, it must go to the High Court. These are not-for-profit companies that do not have the resources to go to the High Court if they feel a service is going to be reduced. As I said, Clare Accessible Transport has integrated its transport co-ordination unit with the provision of service through its drivers. The quality of service provided by Clare Accessible Transport is above the national standard but the tendering process does not recognise that fact or that this integrated service is flexible and a community-based service that links with the HSE, disability services, hospitals and the people it transports. This delivers the bespoke service that is required but which is not being picked up in a tendering process. The flexibility and integration elements were not picked up in a tendering process, which is the difficulty for Clare Accessible Transport. It is also restricted in expanding its services. Although it has applied to the NTA to expand and develop new routes, it has had no response from the NTA in that regard. The quality of service and the expansion that it would like to bring about has not been recognised with the tendering process.

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