2853. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total annual funding provided to a disability service provider for day-service transport; whether she is aware that approximately €3.5 million of the provider’s allocated budget is reportedly being spent on approximately 35 transport routes; whether her Department or the HSE has examined the cost per route and the value for money being achieved (details Supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60165/26]

2854. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality whether her Department or the HSE has assessed the feasibility of a disability service provider operating its day-service transport directly rather than contracting the service to private operators; whether such an assessment would include potential savings arising from taxation arrangements, the removal of private profit, and the reinvestment of savings in frontline disability services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60169/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2853 and 2854 together.

The Specialist Disability Budget supports a range of services funded through the HSE and delivered by Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, as well as the HSE. This includes, among other services and supports, Day Services and Rehabilitative Training for people with specialist disability service requirements.

The provision of transport is not part of core services funded by the HSE. As a general rule, public transport is 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.

Under Pillar 5 of the Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the Department of Transport has lead responsibility for reducing and, where possible, eliminating transport barriers faced by disabled people. Under Pillar 5, there is a commitment to personal mobility, and supporting those who cannot use or easily access any public transport through the provision of enhanced personal mobility options.

It is recognised 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 case-by-case 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 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.