Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue and I want to set out a few relevant points. The Department of Health and the HSE provide specialist disability services, including day services and rehabilitative training, to people with disabilities who require such services. The provision or management of transport services does not fall within the remit of the Department of Health nor is it a service for which the HSE has responsibility or provides funding. Therefore, day service funding and supports do not include the provision of transport services.

Having said that, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or by funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different community healthcare organisation, CHO, areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of a day programme where applicable; local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider, HSE funding, service user contribution, and-or combined funding; and some service providers providing transport where capacity exists.

I should point out that, in general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to a free travel pass. There are improvements in access to a range of transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State, for example, the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners; the free travel scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection; and CLÁR funding, approved by the Minister for Rural and Community Development to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of accessible public transport.

The Deputy raised some pertinent issues such as the fact that driver numbers are down by one third, the training of drivers could take up to eight weeks, the issues of Garda vetting as well as funding for the provision of taxis. I will raise the Deputy's concerns with the Minister. It will involve a cross-departmental approach. This is an issue and it is an anomaly. What people need to do now is try to iron out this complex but resolvable issue with the relevant stakeholders and Departments.

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