Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I say it has been extended for three months, that means that all service users will have a service in September. That is the most important thing.

In the national context, the HSE has been working with the NTA on the issue of transport to day services through the open routes project. Open routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services, such as day services, would be best served by accessible local public transport, Local Link, transporting people to day services and servicing the wider local community. It is a HSE open routes model as opposed to an open routes Local Link model. It is bespoke. At a cross-Government level, in the context of projects such as open routes and the transport working group which I convened and which reported earlier this year, the Government is working to find a more sustainable solution to the broader issue of transport for people with disabilities. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and I are trying to work out what a good model would look like, what would work for all and what would meet future needs with the NTA, Local Link, the HSE and providers. I am trying to convene a meeting in that regard, and Senator Lombard is invited to attend.