Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

A group of young adults in Beara, west Cork, need a bus to access training and day services in Bantry, which is more than an hour's drive for some of them. These are incredibly important facilities that not only offer education but also give them social, emotional, and employment opportunities. This issue initially arose during the summer when the need became apparent. However, it became clear that Local Link in the area did not have the resources to provide this service. Two groups very generously recognised the need and enabled a temporary solution. The St. Vincent de Paul and Beara West Family Resource Centre stepped in where the State had failed. The young people themselves are making weekly contributions from their disability allowance. Besides the fact it should not fall to local civil society organisations to pay, it is a temporary fix that is only in place until Christmas. Now the young people, their families and colleagues are deeply worried about what will happen in the new year, which is only weeks away.

In the words of the people themselves who are now using the service, "We are now at crisis point." It is clear that funding must be provided by the Government. In a letter I received from one of the young people she explained that:

The uncertainty associated with my future is causing me and my family great stress, anxiety, and sadness. We are overwhelmed and unsure of where to go next.

At the end of the letter she stressed:

I am very concerned about what will happen in January, I do not know how I will be able to continue in education without support.

This group's case highlights the need for an integrated approach to disability. It is not only about the services but also about being able to access them. This problem is even more pronounced in rural Ireland, as the Minister of State will be aware. Bantry has incredible facilities, with the National Learning Network, RehabCare and CoAction offering a fantastic range of training courses and day services. However, people have to travel a considerable distance to get to them, especially people living on the Beara and Sheep's Head peninsulas. In this case the local community and organisations have gone above and beyond. While this is welcome, it is a public service that should be provided by the State. Especially jarring is that these young people who are living on fixed incomes through disability and related payments have to pay towards the bus themselves. People in similar situations in larger towns and cities can avail of free public transport, so this now becomes a matter of inequality. The existing public transport routes do not offer the buses at suitable times every weekday, meaning that a bespoke service is the only option.

These young people have a right to access education and support, which includes transport. We have examined these issues at the Committee on Disability Matters. In fact, when the National Learning Network from Bantry appeared at the committee, the importance of transport arose. The network representatives highlighted how they regularly have to fight for transport and work with public bodies and private companies to come up with solutions. There is no good in having a service if people cannot access it. This is about joined-up thinking. Cork Local Link has been working with the stakeholders and public representatives in trying to solve this, but ultimately it comes down to resources. There needs to be funding for this service. Will the Minister of State personally look into this, please?

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