Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1016. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for mandatory safety measures to be installed on transportation services for disabled persons accessing day care centres or other regular services (details supplied) in order to protect these vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20098/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The provision of transport to adults with a disability attending HSE-funded day services is not a core health service, and the HSE endeavours to ensure that all service users access public transport, including rural transport services, if possible. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming with a clear focus on ensuring persons with a disability have access to the normal range of services and participate in community life as far as possible. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass, so there should be no additional cost burden at an individual level.

When a person cannot avail of a day service because they do not have transport to attend, some transport is provided by disability service providers on a case by case basis and as this relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.