Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will flag the specific case that the Deputy has raised with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make them aware of it and to highlight not only the reply that I have given him, but also what the Deputy has raised, that being, the inconsistent approach around the country. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.

I understand the pressures that families are under and the challenges that transport can pose for people with disabilities, such as those adults attending day services and other educated settings whom the Deputy highlighted. At a cross-Government level on projects such as Open Routes and the transport working group convened by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, last year, the Government is working to find more suitable solutions to the broader issue of transport for people with disabilities. This issue must be broadened out beyond the HSE and service providers. Nationally, we are working to improve access to public transport, particularly in rural areas, for those with disabilities. In the coming years, more people will be able to avail of public transport services where they can use their free travel passes. The Government is committed to making real progress on this issue and to developing the right solutions for people with disabilities.

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