Daily transport charge of €4 imposed on people with disabilities to be discontinued

The €4 daily transport charge imposed on people with disabilities attending day services in parts of Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, and Sligo is set to be eliminated. 

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, confirmed that funding will be provided to eliminate the long-standing charge.

“This is a very positive development and a major step forward in ensuring equity and fairness for people with disabilities in the North West,” said Pat the Cope Gallagher, TD. “For too long, individuals in these areas have borne a charge that others in different regions did not face. I am pleased to see this injustice being addressed.”

Mr Gallagher met with the Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services (DCITS) Advocacy Group on a number of occasions last year, prior to his election to Dáil Éireann in 2024. He arranged a conference call with former Minister Anne Rabbitte to directly discuss the issue.

In November 2024, he received correspondence from Minister Rabbitte confirming that she had secured funding to address the matter. 

However, she noted that a small number of issues remained to be resolved between her Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform before the necessary funding could be formally released to the HSE, culminating in the announcement by Minister Foley.

“I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the DCITS Advocacy Group, who have campaigned persistently and powerfully to end this charge,” he said. “Their determination and clear messaging played a central role in securing this outcome. I was proud to meet with them and lend my full support to their campaign.”

The HSE has now confirmed that €250,000 will be made available this year to remove the daily transport fee, with a further €500,000 in core funding to be allocated from January 2026 to address transport supports for people with disabilities on a permanent basis.

Mr Gallagher concluded by saying: “This is a significant win for people with disabilities, and I will continue to work closely with advocacy groups and relevant Departments to ensure the funding is implemented without delay and that similar inequalities are tackled wherever they exist. I wish to express his sincere thanks to Minister Foley and former Minister Rabbitte for their support and commitment in securing a positive outcome on this important issue.”