Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 89 together.
The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities report, A Strategy for Equality, states that “at least 80 per cent of all transport and transport services purchased by Health Boards from 1st January 1997 for transporting clients must be wheelchair accessible”.
Accessible transport to health services for people with disabilities is provided either directly by the health boards or through voluntary agencies providing services on behalf of health boards. Funding for this service is provided through lottery moneys and the capital funds which my Department makes available through the health boards. In this regard I was able to provide funding this year to a number of organisations for people with disabilities to enhance their transport services. In addition, health boards provide the motorised transport grant to people with disabilities to help them gain or retain employment.
Funding will continue to be made available to develop the transport services for people with disabilities availing of the health services, as appropriate, in line with the recommendations of the commission.