Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being delayed in getting here. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have no problem taking a representation on behalf of the person in SOS from the Deputy and talking to her about it. I thank her for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to outline the position in regard to the resumption of adult day services and transport in community health organisation, CHO, 5, encompassing south Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. Adult day services reopened throughout August and early September at approximately 39% capacity and, as the Deputy will be well aware, I have secured the funding to increase day services by an average of one day a week for more than 14,000 adult day service users.

Some service providers are now working so that the services operate safely and in line with public health guidelines. This has led to a reduced capacity in day services due to the need for social distancing, the physical limitations of buildings and a lack of mainstream community activities currently available. The public health guidelines, which were developed to underpin the safe reopening of adult day services, have also had an impact on the transport to day services. Although the HSE has no statutory obligation to provide transport services, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded through agencies on a discretionary basis. This can include services themselves providing transport and local transport such as Local Link. In general, disability service users are in receipt of a disability allowance and are automatically entitled to a free pass. Now that day services have reopened, the availability of safe transport is essential.

However, reduced capacity on vehicles means more journeys are needed to and from service locations for those that need it. As the service has resumed, transport providers have had to demonstrate that their services can be provided as safely as possible and with strict adherence to social distancing guidelines.

The Deputy raised the issue of Cumas in New Ross, which I visited in recent months. During my visit, I met with the providers in the company of Deputy Browne and Senator Byrne. They raised, no more than the good Deputy has done today, the issue of transport. I am glad to confirm that Cumas was allocated €147,652 at the end of November to address the transport issues that have been raised with me since September. This will be allocated in the December payment to the provider. This is once-off additional funding for transport from within the current budget for disabilities services and additional moneys I secured in September to support the resumption of services.

I understand the issue with that individual case and I have no problem working with the Deputy on it. The Deputy asked if I would meet with the families and of course I will. I will be more than happy to take part in a Zoom call in the company of other Oireachtas colleagues who would like to be on it. This is also an important opportunity for the Deputy and other Oireachtas Members in the area to meet with the CHO 5 to understand the funding allocation, the roll-out and the support they will give to service providers going into the new year in order that we can have a sustainable resumption of services and the proper link, which is the transport piece, to assure the families that the connectivity they require is in place, particularly in light of the fact that there is €145,000 set aside for transport.

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