Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
465. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there has been any change in the past two years in relation to transport entitlements for disability adult day services (details supplied); and if she will ensure that all disability adult day users attending here are provided transport to and from this centre. [66888/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports available for adults with additional needs who attend adult day services but cannot access transport to this service due to a lack of capacity on transport services equipped for wheelchairs. [66891/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 468 together.
The HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services.
The provision of transport services is not part of core services within HSE specialist disability services. As a general rule, public transport should be 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 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.
The Department recognises that viable public transport options are not always available throughout the country and that transport support needs vary between individuals. 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 discretionary 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, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
