To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any steps her Department is taking to ensure that information about transport options for medical care is readily accessible in rural communities.

My Department has no remit to provide transport specifically for the purpose of medical care.

My Department provides funding to Translink to provide public transport services and facilities. This means creating a consistent customer experience for everyone, ensuring accessible public transport for people of all ages and abilities.

Both the Translink website and App can provide transport options from any location, address or stop, urban and rural, where transport links exist. The website and app allow for address-to-address planning, park & ride planner and a bike it option. All major hospitals have public transport stop listings.

My Department also provides grant funding to community transport organisations to support the delivery of the rural Dial-a-Lift (DAL) Scheme across the North for those rural residents who find it difficult or impossible to access mainstream transport services. DAL provides access to local services for a wide range of transport purposes which may include transport to local health facilities, e.g. doctor’s surgery, dentist, pharmacy etc. DAL cannot be used for transport for hospital inpatient appointments.

DAL services are membership criteria based and are therefore not open to all members of the public. Information on the DAL Scheme is available on the Departmental website and on individual rural community transport websites. The respective community transport provider will also advise their members directly on availability of services.