Trevor Sargent
Ceist:34 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, he can take to protect the driving school service run by the Irish Wheelchair Association from ceasing on 30 June 1995. [8851/95]
Written Answers. - Driving School for Disabled.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:55 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the importance of specialised driving instruction for disabled learner drivers; the provision, if any, that is being made by his Department to accommodate learner drivers with disabilities when the Irish Wheelchair Association ceases operating its driving school and information centre on 30 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9522/95]
James McDaid
Ceist:61 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Health the current situation regarding the driving school service run by the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if it is his policy to curb Government financing via the health board to the Irish Wheelchair Association. [9402/95]
Liam Fitzgerald
Ceist:68 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Irish Wheelchair Association to close down the driving school service on 30 June 1995, due to their inability to provide the funding in the amount of £80,000 necessary to maintain the service in the current year; if his Department has accepted that the service has proven to be an invaluable one for many disabled drivers around the country who, but for this service, would not enjoy the freedom they enjoy today; the plans, if any, he has to grant-aid this essential service to ensure its continuance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9170/95]
Mary Harney
Ceist:69 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he intends to take to prevent the enforced closure of the driving school for the disabled in view of the great benefit this school is to disabled drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9209/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 55, 61, 68 and 69 together.
Officials of my Department met recently with representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association at which, inter alia, the position of the driving school was discussed. Following a request from my Department, the association submitted detailed information on the operation of the driving school. That information is at present being examined in my Department and I hope to be in a position to respond quickly to the association.