Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte TD, today on International Day for people with Disabilities has announced funding of €8 million for the upgrading and improvement of the transport options for HSE funded organisations.
The initiative is targeted at organisations funded under sections 38 and 39 of the Health Acts, who provide residential or respite services to people with disabilities across Ireland. This follows on from the €7.5m that the HSE utilised to help upgrade transport for Day Services recently.
The funding of €8m can be used this year to purchase people carriers, saloons or whatever vehicle is required to support people with disabilities to move to and from services.
Speaking of the initiative, Minister Rabbitte said, “I speak to people with disabilities, their families and our colleagues performing tremendous work in the residential and respite services regularly, and one of the most common issues that I hear is the problem of transport to and from services.
“I am delighted to introduce this vital funding initiative so that Residential and Respite Services can upgrade their fleet and make it easier for people with disabilities to attend their services, or activities within their community.
“The funding will be allocated to each CHO based on the number of people in services in each area and its total population. Based on estimates that I have received from the HSE, this initiative has the potential to purchase as many as 180 vehicles.
“In addition, the HSE is engaging with Day Service Providers to ensure that there is a focus on updating the transports for people in Day Services. I have no doubt that this will be a great benefit to people with disabilities, their families, and to the Disability Service providers,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.
The funding will be allocated by the Disability unit in each CHO, and the purchases will happen within 2021. To ensure the maximum use of the funds, the VAT and VRT may be reclaimed if modifications are required on the vehicles.
//ENDS
Notes to Editor:
The allocation of funding for the €8m is based on a blended approach to each CHO, using both numbers in service and population totals as a guide. The breakdown per CHO is below:
CHO1 €699,643.20
CHO2 €825,675.40
CHO3 €738,599.34
CHO4 €1,128,478.09
CHO5 €876,999.22
CHO6 €601,267.72
CHO7 €1,113,077.82
CHO8 €929,614.28
CHO9 €1,086,644.92
National €8,000,000.00