I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this really important issue and giving me the opportunity to discuss it on the floor of the House. The specialist disability budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by section 38 and section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, day services and rehabilitative training for people with specialist disability service requirements. The HSE funds on an annual basis 97 provider organisations to provide day service supports in line with the new directions policy and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, to more than 21,000 people nationally. The provision of transport is not part of core services provided by the HSE. As a general rule, public transport is used in all circumstances where it is an option. This is in keeping with the principle of mainstreaming, with a clear focus on ensuring persons with disabilities 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. It is recognised that viable public transport options are not always available throughout the country and that transport support needs vary between individuals. This seems to be the case in Noah's situation. In the absence of transport options being made available by the National Transport Authority, NTA, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a case-by-case basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different health regions. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, and private bus transport. Some service providers provide transport where capacity exists. That sounds like the situation the Deputy has raised this evening. Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in March 2018, which clearly articulates that all State parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access, on an equal basis to others, to transportation. In line with the principle of mainstream-first service delivery, it is incumbent upon all public bodies to execute their functions with proper regard for people with disabilities and Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD. The HSE has advised that all transport provision in County Meath is managed across a range of services, including disability, between service providers and a HSE transport manager. Day service providers are asked to provide transport to people seeking access to their services. The HSE transport manager contracts TFI to supply some transport. The transport manager covers all transport across disability, primary care, dialysis and some elderly services. The role of transport manager is a legacy role that may be unique to Meath community services. The post is funded across the care groups according to the HSE and there are no transport managers in any of the other five counties that were part of the former CHO 8. There are currently 217 service users accommodated on this legacy transport route, which provides access to a number of adult day service locations. These routes are at capacity, as the Deputy said. As a result, five people are waiting for these particular HSE transport routes. From what the Deputy has said, Noah must be one of those five people. Sanction was provided to the HSE in 2024 for €3.6 million to be used for the upgrade of transport vehicles in disability day services. Building on a similar approach to addressing the issue of ageing vehicles in disability residential and respite services in 2021, this funding was specifically aimed at supporting the provision of vehicles for transport to day services where other transport solutions are not available and where an ageing fleet exists. This funding was allocated to HSE, section 38 and section 39 services on a one-off basis and has supported the purchase of 77 vehicles, which provide services.

Sentiment score: 0.25

The Deputy is right that it is important that not only should we provide access to high-quality day services right across the country, which we are, but we should also ensure that people can get there as easily as possible. I appreciate that and every effort is being made to ensure that local public transport links are provided. In Meath's situation, which is unique, there is a bespoke solution that is working for the people there. I appreciate that there is the waiting list of five, but it is something unique to Meath and I think it is working quite well from the feedback I have had. I will point out now that under pillar 5 of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, our new strategy launched last September, the Department of Transport has the lead responsibility for reducing and, where possible, eliminating transport barriers faced by disabled people. I think that is really important. Under that pillar, there is a commitment to personal mobility and to supporting those who cannot use or easily access any public transport through the provision of enhanced personal mobility options. The Government's ambition is also reflected in the really significant investment being made in specialist disability services in recent years, with record investment of €3.8 billion in 2026 alone. This includes additional funding for a new cohort of 1,400 school leavers and 53 day-service places for non-school leavers. The Government is absolutely committed to supporting people with disabilities and to ensuring they are enabled to reach their full potential in the spirit of the UNCRPD. I thank the Deputy for raising the case with us here today.

Sentiment score: 0.41