Patient Transport
Dail Éireann — 2025-10-14
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Marian Harkin (IND), Sligo-Leitrim

I hear what the Deputy is saying and I can understand the concerns of many people. All I can do is update the Deputy on patient transport services in the south-east region. As I set out a few minutes ago, Wexford General Hospital continues to make significant efforts to ensure non-emergency services are provided for qualifying patients in the south east who require transport assistance to attend their appointments. This includes service improvement efforts to strengthen current staffing arrangements for the non-emergency patient transport office at Wexford General Hospital and to avoid further service disruptions. Reading that paragraph, that makes it clear that they are working on this to avoid further service disruptions. I hope that turns out to be the case for all of those who make the call. The Minister for Health is informed that ongoing engagement within the HSE in this matter involving the integrated healthcare area managers and relevant hospitals in the region will progress these efforts to improve delivery of non-emergency transport services in the south east of the country.
I would also mention briefly additional supports that may be available to qualifying patients in the south east and nationally. The Department of Social Protection offers supports to patients through the additional needs payment which is designed to help individuals with essential expenses that they cannot cover from their weekly income or other resources. This payment can be used for various needs, including recurring travel expenses for medical appointments. Patients wishing to avail of this payment can submit an online application at mywelfare.ie or by post. Patients can also contact the Department of Social Protection directly if they require further information or assistance. That is just extra support.
I hear what the Deputy is saying. I hope the response I have given the Deputy provides him and those who are making those contacts in the south east with some hope that their calls will be answered.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-10-14/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-10-14