Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. What he raised this evening highlights an issue of concern. I want to give him an update on the patient transport service in County Tipperary.

The patient transport service, which provides non-emergency patient transport for some patients in the south-east region, was set up in 2013. It was set up on a discretionary basis by the HSE for the region. Hospitals there were given a budget to provide limited transport for patients to attend other acute services. The cost of providing the non-emergency patient transport service has increased year on year. The cost for providing this service has grown from more than €88,000 in 2019 to more than €127,000 in 2024. Due to this continued increase, Tipperary University Hospital has had to review the eligibility criteria for patients applying for access to the service. The review of the eligibility criteria is aimed at preserving this valuable service in order that those most in need and vulnerable patients can access it. It is important to clarify that patients travelling for radiation therapy and chemotherapy will not be affected by these changes. There are a number of criteria that need to be taken into consideration by Tipperary University Hospital when assessing a patient’s eligibility to access the service, including the patient’s exceptional medical need, patient’s age - 75 years and older - mobility, appointment and so on.

The Government fully acknowledges the concern and inconvenience for patients and their families that these changes at Tipperary University Hospital have caused. It continues to accommodate the patients most in need of this service in line with the revised eligibility criteria. The hospital robustly assesses patients’ eligibility and all patients must meet the revised criteria before being approved for the transport. It is actually done through the HSE. The assessment of a patient’s eligibility for the non-emergency patient transport service is determined by the local HSE service, which aims to provide for those most in need of access to this valuable service.

The Government has invested significantly in Tipperary University Hospital and the budget for the hospital has increased from almost €81 million in 2020 to more than €122 million in 2025, representing a significant increase of 51% in that time. Staffing has increased by 25% since 2020 from 968 to 1,212.

The cost of providing this important service has increased year on year and it is aimed at assisting those most in need.

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