Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 4

Written Answers. - Transport Services for the Disabled.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

188 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, available to health boards to subvent private transport operators who provide a dedicated transport service for the disabled; if he will consider the establishment of a fund in this regard which would encourage transport providers to adjust vehicles and provide these services in areas where other forms of transport for the disabled are not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Health boards and voluntary sector organisations providing services to people with disabilities routinely provide accessible transport to enable people with disabilities to avail of health services, such as day care or therapy services. Capital grants for the purchase of adapted vehicles and revenue grants for running expenses are given to the service providers for this purpose.

The more general question of making transport accessible to people with disabilities would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Enterprise.