Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If that process is imminent, it is welcome news. All the people with MS may not have mobility issues but they may have other problems and are being excluded from the scheme. Any assistance is welcome in that regard.

The Minister of State mentioned the assistance scheme in CHO 7, which is a good scheme but it should be fully resourced. It goes so far but it is not far enough. It is like the old 78A around my area, which would go part of the route but not the full route. If the scheme could be fully resourced, it would be appreciated.

Many disabled people are effectively being denied the ability to travel because of stringent criteria applied in obtaining the primary medical certificate. Backlogs in processing the primary medical certificates have created further delays, although the Minister of State has indicated a change is imminent in that regard. Disabled people face many barriers in their lives and at the very least they should have the ability to travel. A lack of opportunity to use transport can be devastating for a person's ability to work, socialise, complete everyday tasks and enable them to live full and independent lives. At yesterday's committee meeting we heard directly from people with disabilities who felt they were ignored in the decision-making process. They have said there should be nothing decided about them without their input. I am sure the Minister of State has heard that many times.

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