Ahern to look at transport funding

The Taoiseach has pledged to look at the funding of a transport service for disabled people, who began a protest outside Leinster House and planned to continue it right through Christmas.

Mr Ahern told the Dβil there was "no question" of discontinuing current funding for Vantastic, the transport service for 400 people funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The service received £350,000 this year and is to get £370,000 for 2002.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, said this was not enough for a service that cost more than £1 million to run. The only commitment given by the Government had been to increase the grant to match inflation. Mr Noonan called on the Taoiseach to have the Minister for Equality and Law Reform deal with it as a "matter of urgency rather than being dragged into agreeing something on Christmas Eve because of the hardship experienced by those on protest outside the gates of this House".

He was supported by the Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, who said it was a "modest request", especially given the reduction in employers' PRSI contributions by a "massive sum" of €330 million.

Mr Ahern stressed he had no disagreement with what the Opposition were saying.

He had been informed of the issue on Tuesday. He had since been informed that Vantastic was looking for additional cover.