Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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475. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which a person (details supplied) with complex special needs will be unable to access their placement in a centre for persons with disabilities due to the fact there is no transport available to them from their home; his views on whether it is acceptable that such a service is not available due to significant cutbacks to the centre; his plans to reinstate the funding to centres such as these to ensure that all service users will be able to avail of transport to and from the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3862/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Service providers are continuously reviewing their transport arrangements to ensure that they are used as effectively and equitably as possible within available resources. As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.