'Absolute disgrace': Donegal mother angered as HSE 'pull the rug' on vital transport

A Donegal mother has spoken of the distress at being told that promised transport to take her son with additional needs to third level education was no longer available.

Tanya Roberts Brown said she was left feeling like she was punched in the stomach when she was informed that there was no transport to take her son, Oisin, to Letterkenny.

Oisin, who is 18 and has autism and cerebral palsy, started his new chapter at Soar Letterkenny, a part of the National Learning Network, on Tuesday.

His mother had to drive Oisin to and from Soar from their home in Glen for his first day and says she was left in a state of frustration by the HSE.

“To be told less than three days out that he has no transport going forward was an absolute disgrace,” Tanya told Donegal Live.

“I had so many different people involved in this between a therapist, occupational therapists, a transport coordinator and a social worker. Not once was it ever said that transport wouldn't be in place.

“I am disgusted in the system and when I asked what am I supposed to do now to be then told 'we can’t advise or help you' is even more of a disgrace.”

Preschool manager at Rainbows Preschool in her native Carrigart while her husband Paddy is a bus escort.

She said: “I have my own business and if I don't open, there are 16 other families affected. Paddy is a bus escort himself; if he doesn't go to work, there is someone affected there.

“At the very start of this year, I first spoke to the transport coordinator.

“I contacted them again a number of weeks ago as I hadn't heard from them. They said it was still going through a process – but there was no hint that there was a problem.

“Someone was even down to take photos for the bus company, of Oisin's wheelchair and everything, and said that someone would be in touch.

“It just feels as if I was fobbed off.”

Last Thursday, Tanya received the phonecall from the manager of Oisin's day centre.

“They had to make the call on behalf of the HSE transport coordinator, who hadn't the decency to tell me themselves,” Tanya said.

“I was so distressed. I couldn't actually speak. This was such a major change for us all anyway.

“It just felt like a real punch in the stomach.

“Anytime I asked what could I do, all I got was: 'I am sorry I can't help you'. Someone wasn't doing their job here.”

To get a wheelchair taxi, Tanya and Paddy would need to get an escort and the process she estimates could cost up to €700 or €800 a week. Tanya called on the assistance of her own father on Tuesday to get their other two children ready for school while she drove Oisin to Letterkenny.

Previously, Oisin spent 14 years at Little Angels and travelled on a bus.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that a bus company currently operates a run on a route that passes their home.

Tanya said: “There is a bus that goes from Carrigart, but even if they had the space they would be prohibited from taking Oisin because he's now going to third level. They can't take people who are at third level.

“Despite exhausting all possible avenues in the past few days, I am at a loss for what steps to take next until the transport issue is resolved.

“There seems to be no one available to provide guidance or assistance and I cannot physically be in two places at the one time despite trying my very hardest.

“This lack of support and communication is unacceptable and leaves families feeling abandoned and helpless. It’s so frustrating to see how easily the system fails those who need it the most.”

Tanya has been informed that the issue could be resolved within three weeks, but is aware of another family who have been told that it may be as much as an eight-week wait.

“If this had been communicated to us three months ago, we could have had arrangements made,” she said. “I am aware of as many as 40 families in Donegal and Sligo who are affected like this.”

The HSE has told Donegal Live that formal contractual transport arrangements will be provided for those attending Disability Day service units in Donegal and Sligo within the next three weeks.

"In the interim the HSE will put in place local arrangements to ensure all service users are able to attend their Day Service for this period," the HSE said in a statement.

"These interim arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the service user and their families as a matter of urgency.

"The HSE wish to apologise to service users and their families who have been affected by this delay.

"The HSE can confirm that all requests are being processed as quickly as possible and we are continuing to liaise with our Local Link partners to expedite the provision of transport for all day service users. 

"Owing to the large volume of requests for transportation, a number of factors have resulted in delays for some of those who have applied. 

"All requests for transport require considerable assessment and planning and this is due to the organisation of new routes, which were previously not required, financial approval and allowing the relevant transport operators time to work within procurement guidelines."