Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time. I fully support the motion and, in particular, the call to introduce an integrated transport system for people with disabilities and their carers, a scheme that would ensure flexible arrangements, the provision of funding and a comprehensive transport support scheme to replace the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant as a priority. In my constituency, there are a lot of problems with the primary medical certificate. The criteria are one thing, but the delays in decisions being reached are a huge issue that needs to be addressed urgently to be fair to people with disabilities. To create a truly inclusive society, we must make sure all systems and decisions are fair, helpful and assistive of people who need help.

This issue has been ongoing for way too long, and each time questions are asked, the Government deflects or points to existing services. In a reply to a parliamentary question I submitted recently, I was told the cost of disability study commissioned by the then Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as part of budget 2019 was to inform policy direction to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs. That related to budget 2019, so where is the action? In the reply I received, the Minister of State informed me also that the free travel scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection, and CLÁR funding were assisting with transport for people with significant mobility issues. This is a joke, however, because it assumes many rural areas have adequate transport links, but they do not. Irrespective of whether you are able-bodied or disabled, it matters if there are no buses or trains to transport you. As the motion notes, the Ombudsman report entitled Grounded: Unequal Access for People with Disabilities to Personal Transport Schemes highlights the years of inaction by the Government to address the lack of supports for people with disabilities. It is absurd and reprehensible that disabled people are left waiting for so long before the action they so badly need is brought about.

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