Call for HSE and Local Link not to progress with charge

A proposal to charge people with disabilities for using Local link services has been criticised by members of Cavan County council.

Councillor John Paul Feeley tabled the motion that Cavan County Council ask the HSE and Local Link to withdraw proposals to charge clients using services for people with a disability.

Cllr Feeley said he was bringing the issue to the attention of the chamber following a number of queries by constituents. The Local Link scheme provides a combination of scheduled bus routes, as well as door-to-door services in towns, villages and rural areas under the direction of the National Transport Authority.

Cllr Feeley said he objected to the charge on a point of principal: "If funding was in place for a proper transport system in rural areas there would be no issue here" he told the members.

Cllr Feeley's proposal was supported by Cllr Shane P O'Reilly who said that such a charge for people availing of the service was a significant hidden tax.

Cllr Peter McVitty (FG) said that many of the service users would normally be able to avail of their free pass on public transport, but this was not an option.