AQW 47562/11-15


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 22/06/2015
Answered On Date: 17/07/2015
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development, pursuant to AQO 8404/11-15, how adjustments will focus on protecting the service users of the Disability Action Transport Scheme.


Answer:
My Department continues to provide over £2.3m in grant assistance to Disability Action for these important services.
Disability Action has committed to continually look to maximise the Disability Action Scheme to see if services to the most vulnerable can be maintained. However in light of the reduction in funding to its grant, Disability Action engaged in a process of review of service provision to ensure that this important transport continues to be provided to its members.
Following this review a fare increase was introduced. The increase in fares for people using the Scheme was an operational decision made by Disability Action following consultation with scheme users at user forum meetings. It is aimed at ensuring services are maintained in a climate of financial uncertainty and with least disruption to client groups. This is the first time from 2006 that there has been a fare increase.
Disability Action also undertook an analysis of trip demand by day and time of day and considered a number of options which took account of the times when most members travelled again these changes were subject to discussion with members at user forums.
The reductions on the amount of trips available to members following these changes is minimal and the fare increase will contribute to ensuring that based on direct delivery, only 5% of journeys will be affected by these changes. Disability Action has advised that these changes will have the least impact on their clients and will keep these matters under consideration
In addition Disability Action have considered efficiencies within its own organisation and identified and implemented changes to make savings which again ensure that front line services are protected.
Although there was a reduction in funding provided to Disability Action and other transport service providers, my Department has bid for additional funding as part of June monitoring. Should this bid be successful, it is likely that Disability Action will receive additional funding.