AQW 42085/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/02/2015
Answered On Date: 16/03/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development for his assessment of the dial a lift community transport service.

Answer:

My Department provides funding from the Rural Transport Fund (RTF) for the Dial A Lift scheme, managed by the Rural Community Transport Partnerships (RCTP’s). Dial A Lift is aimed at reducing social exclusion in rural areas for people with reduced mobility. This service is provided to all members of the scheme including people with disabilities who can avail of transport for various purposes that would include local shops, post office or bank, training and local employment, pharmacy, visiting friends or family and includes some local health service appointments.

In 2013/14 the Partnerships provided 243, 967 Dial A Lift Trips to 4780 active users. The grant from my Department in 2013/14 totalled £3.4 million.

The Partnerships also receive some financial support from Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through the Assisted Rural Transport Scheme which allows individual members from the rural community to use their SmartPass to access transport through this scheme jointly funded by DARD.

Demand for Dial A Lift services has grown over the last number of years and each Partnership now has to prioritise services to ensure that transport is available to the most vulnerable members.