€228,000 has been provided by Minister Heather Humphreys for funding for four vehicles supplying access services across County Roscommon and east Galway for people with disabilities and cancer care.
The vehicles will be used to provide essential transport services for people with mobility issues.
The Irish Wheelchair Association, Roscommon, will receive €34,871.15 for a vehicle conversion, Roscommon Civil Defence will receive €73,800 towards the purchase of a vehicle for their fleet, and the North Roscommon branch of the Brothers of Charity will receive a further €61,416 for a vehicle. The funding is provided under the Mobility and Cancer Care Transport Measure of the CLÁR programme.
Deputy Denis Naughten said that €59,400 will be provided to Ballinasloe Social Services for a large minibus.
Minister Frank Feighan said: “I wish to commend Minister Humphreys and this government, who continue to provide support under the CLÁR programme for voluntary organisations that provide transport services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“This funding, which has increased by over forty per cent compared to last year, will provide suitable vehicles that will enable people living in designated rural areas to access vital treatment and medical services”.
Also thanking Minister Humphreys, Deputy Denis Naughten, added: “This funding is vital for the delivery of services to people with a disability and those accessing specialist cancer services across rural Ireland.
“In many instances public transport is not available or not suitable, and at present there is no support available for private transport with the suspension of the Disabled Drivers Scheme for new applicants”.
Senator Aisling Dolan congratulated Roscommon Civil Defence, the Irish Wheelchair Association in Roscommon and Brothers of Charity, North Roscommon on securing the funding.
