Reply - M 13

This Committee also calls for the rollout of the low-cost transport service for older persons for healthcare and other needs, agreed at the April County Council meeting, in the Dublin 12 area specifically given the age profile in the area.

Vantastic is an initiative used by Dublin City Council in the North Central area of the City and have expressed an interest in doing something similar in the South Dublin County area. This is a Door-to-Door Transport Service for Older People and the service for the North Central area has an operating costs of over €51,000 per annum with Dublin City contributing almost 50%. 10% of the costs are covered by fares paid by the users.

It is acknowledged that many elderly people are largely dependent upon public transport. For older people, public transport service is a vital link between them and the wider community but barriers are faced by them in terms of:

•difficulties associated with walking.

•difficulties associated with boarding /alighting

•the perception of risk of accident due to vehicles moving off before passengers are seated, overcrowding and driving practices

•Feelings of Intimidation and vulnerablity

•Weather conditions

Having considered this initiative in conjunction with the Age Friendly County Alliance Group the Council is working with a local organisation who have acquired the transport and intend to put in place a 6 month pilot project which will be evaluated as to the use of the service and its impact on local communities. The Council will be supporting this initiative. This project also has the potential of a social employment opportunity within the county and the evaluation of the pilot will take this into consideration.

Following the passing of the Mayors Motion at the April Council Meeting the pilot is being progressed as soon as possible.