Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I raise this matter because I believe it is incredibly important. It is the need to provide ring-fenced funding towards transport for those in receipt of adult disability day services. Currently, children in special schools who are in receipt of disability day services can receive transport to and from their service until they turn 18 years of age. At that point, when they graduate from special schools to adult disability day services, there is no longer a provision for transport services. This makes services inaccessible to a lot of those with disabilities. It is incredibly unfair that a service that is available before you hit 18 is then taken away when you hit 18. People are unable to access their services because of this. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. It is vital that this service be made available to them.

Access to transport to avail of these services can in certain cases be the difference between a service user being in day services or residential care. In cases where parents or care providers cannot provide transport, and given that many of these service users cannot use public transport, the possibility of residential care at that point has to be examined. I am aware of many families, particularly elderly care providers and parents, who are in that situation because transport is not available.

Carers are already under pressure. Often, when they are looking after a child or adult with a disability, they have other obligations in their household. They may be looking after elderly parents or have other children in the household. That this transport is not available for those in receipt of these services is grossly unfair in this day and age. These are some of the most vulnerable in our society. I come across a lot of these cases in my area of north-west Cork. Last week, I had a call from a lady whose son turns 18 in August. As a result, he is no longer able to go to the special school he is attending, even though some of his mainstream peers will be going on to do the leaving certificate. He will then be in receipt of adult disability day services. Thankfully, he has been able to receive a service, but the lack of transport means he may be unable to access it. There are so many cases like this around the country. This young man's mother said that if it was the case that his disability disappeared when he turned 18, she would be absolutely delighted but obviously that is not going to happen. Why then will his transport facility and funding disappear when he turns 18?