Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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1018.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available for people on disability in rural areas, to ensure they can afford transport to hospital appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35807/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. This can include assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments where there are no other supports available.

The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered.

In considering an Additional Needs Payment application for assistance with transport costs incurred for attending hospital appointments, the Community Welfare Officer considers any alternatives available to the customer, including transport services offered by the Health Service Executive, other community development initiatives and the applicant's access to the Free Travel Scheme.

While there is no statutory requirement for the Health Service Executive to provide Patient Transport Services, transport services can be provided on a discretionary basis. Examples of cases where transport services can be provided include where a patient’s medical condition impacts to such an extent that necessitates the use of Patient Transport Services, and where the cost of travelling to a service would cause undue hardship to the patient.

The affordability of such services, which must be within financial limits of the local Community Healthcare Organisations, must ultimately be made by the budget holder within the Community Healthcare Organisation. Such decisions must also be made in line with other related policies and legislation. To avail of transport services, a person’s medical needs must be assessed by a Health Care Professional (e.g., General Practitioner).

Specific ‘Health Appointment Service’ transport is operated by Local Link in some parts of the country. In addition, the National Cancer Control Programme manages and delivers Ireland’s cancer programme for the Health Service Executive. The National Cancer Control Programme funds a travel scheme to help some patients pay for costs incurred travelling to cancer tests and treatment.

The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on all public transport owned by the State. Free travel is also available on some services operated by private bus and ferry transport operators. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million.

It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carers Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.

In general, it is expected that persons attending hospital appointments should make their own arrangements for journeys by using Public Transport or Local Link transport in rural areas. Where a person who is required to attend the medical appointment has more serious medical issues that prevents them from using public transport, it would be expected that a suitable method of transport would be arranged by their medical team.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.