Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am calling for a debate with the Minister for Transport on an issue about which I have been in touch with him over the past few months. That is the extension of the cycle to work scheme to those with disabilities that affect their movement. Obviously, the scheme does not discriminate explicitly against such people, but rather it is a sin of omission. I was contacted over the summer by Councillor Gabe Cronnelly. He and many with disabilities would love to get a helping hand from the Government in order to green his transport to and from work. However, he has a physical disability which prevents him from using a bicycle. He would need a different form of vehicle, such as a hand-pedalled tricycle or an electric sports wheelchair. These are currently not covered by the cycle to work scheme, so no financial supports can be availed of by persons looking to purchase a climate-friendly form of personal transport which suits their particular needs.

To be honest, it seems like an oversight. I cannot imagine that anyone would have decided to leave out these people when this scheme was being designed. As we approach the budget, I thought that perhaps the Minister might want to make a small change for inclusivity and equality. I emailed him about it over the summer and was told that, as it is a funding issue, I should approach the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. However, where I have done that, I have been told that requests for such a change to the scheme would have to be made to the Minister for Transport and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, had received no correspondence. A reminder was sent after that, a couple of weeks ago, and again there was no response. It really is frustrating how hard it is to get things done in here sometimes. I feel that over half of the responses you get from Departments are them fobbing you off from one Department to the other. If they cannot pay attention to one small quality of life change to an existing scheme, what hope do we have for solving the bigger things?