€4 fee for use of transport services for those with additional needs in the Northwest and MidWest to be fully funded - Gallagher

HSE confirms funding of €250,000 for the rest of 2025, and €500,000 for 2026

Fianna Fáil Senator for Monaghan, Robbie Gallagher has today expressed his delight at the decision from the HSE to provide funding which will enable to €4 charge for the use of Day Service transportation to be removed in the Northwest and Midwest.

Gallagher was informed today by the Department that the HSE is providing funding of €250,000 for the rest of this year to support transportation for Day Service users who have until now been charged €4.

Expressing his delight, Gallagher said, “I am absolutely delighted to hear today from my colleagues in the Department that the HSE has decided to allocate €250,000 which will now remove the need for Day Service users to pay €4 for transportation in Monaghan and Cavan. 

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce that the HSE is providing funding of €250,000 this year to support transportation for users of the Day Service. I have long advocated for this to be removed and funded for by the HSE in the NorthWest and MidWest to come in line with other users in other regions of the country.

 “Furthermore, I have been informed that from the 1st of January 2026, there will be Core funding allocated to address the €4 service charge issue moving forward. 

He added, “This is a great day and a win for those with additional needs who use the Day Services and need the transportation. 

Concluding Senator Gallagher said that he would like to thank his colleague and Minister Norma Foley for all her hard work on this issue, along with relevant stakeholders such as the HSE.

“I have worked extremely hard on this issue for the last two or three years. It is an issue close to my heart and something I deeply care about. Equality is vital when it comes to disability, these people are some of our most vulnerable in society and need support. I’d like to thank all relevant stakeholders and Minister Norma Foley for her hard work on this matter along with Senator Anne Rabbitte.

“I am delighted that this issue will now be one of the past, and I will work hard as your elected representative to ensure funding is available for all disabled users of day service transportation in Monaghan and Cavan, the Northwest, and Mid-West from here on.” 

ENDS