FERMANAGH Community Transport (FCT) is again under threat as proposed cuts are set to see the organisation’s budget reduced even further.
Despite the growing need and demand across the rural community in Fermanagh for the organisation’s services, it remains in the firing line.
“The proposed cuts would have an extremely adverse impact on the rural elderly and disabled here,” FCT manager Jason Donaghy said.
“Reduction in funding or an ending of financial support for the Rural Dial a Lift Door to Door Service would hit the most vulnerable hardest of all.
“We had hoped that this year would have seen a stabilisation and a modest increase in the budget to reflect our rising costs, rather than a continued push downward by the Department for Infrastructure [DfI] on it, despite the evidence and the need on the ground suggesting that Rural Dial a Lift is needed more than ever.
“Fermanagh Community Transport plays a vital role in getting people to hospital and GP appointments, shops, and other essential facilities. The majority of these people cannot get access to or use conventional Translink services nor do they have access to a car.
“From 2023 to 2024, FCT delivered 27,529 trips. Without our service, many of our most vulnerable elderly and disabled within and across our rural community would be left ‘imprisoned’ within their own homes, shut off from participating and engaging in life which many others take for granted.”
DUP MLA, Deborah Erskine, recently asked Minister O’Dowd when he will inform Community Transport of its budget position.
In response, he said that the overall budget allocation for 2024/25 is “currently being considered”, but added that his department has been operating in a “difficult financial environment” due to “underfunding and austerity”.
“We need to see a real shift in thinking, policy and funding within the DfI sooner rather than later,” Mr Donaghy said.
To read more on this story see this week’s Fermanagh Herald. Can’t get to the shop to collect your copy? No problem! You can download a copy straight to your device by following this link… Subscribe to current edition
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere