Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that the Minister of State was reading a response from the Department of Health. Expenditure on the patient taxi service within the HSE in 2010 amounted to €26,025,000. Last year, which, according to a recent response to a parliamentary question, is the last year for which we have up-to-date figures, expenditure in this area rose by €1.6 million. The HSE's contention that five people per day use the bus service from Donegal is disputed by the bus operator, whom I believe has more up-to-date figures. There are question marks over the HSE's figures. However, this is not really where the argument lies; the argument is that the service is essential. The taxi budget of the HSE, which has responsibility in this area, will escalate if the service is withdrawn. How can sick people who cannot physically enter a public transport vehicle with no means of access for the disabled travel to Dublin for an essential appointment without getting a taxi paid for by the HSE? The cost incurred by the HSE will escalate if the service is withdrawn. I have spoken to staff in the health sector who have confirmed this. It is wishful thinking to say that on one hand it would save €100,000 but the budget will escalate by €500 million this year anyway. It does not make sense.