DRD putting transport charity at risk

DRD putting transport charity at risk

8 May 2013

A STORMONT Minister is to be asked to instruct his officials to stop delaying payments to a local transport charity which provides a key service for the elderly and the disabled.

Down Community Transport is funded by the Department of Regional Development (DRD) but government officials are paying the organisation’s agreed monthly payment in arrears.

Officials at the Downpatrick-based charity, which is one of the largest of its kind in the Province, have warned payment delays are causing major problems and has resulted in some of the services it provides not being delivered at times.

Last week, senior officials from the organisation met with Strangford MP Jim Shannon and local politicians to discuss their funding concerns.

Community Transport chairman, Mr. Francie Casement, explained the organisation, which provides door-to-door services to the elderly, older people with disabilities and community groups, is becoming “increasingly frustrated” at the DRD delay in processing payments.

“Our budget allocation is agreed every year and while this has reduced over recent years, the money is there. The problem we have is that is not being paid on time and when we need it. This impacts on our service and leads to bank charges amounting to several thousand pounds which we could well do without,” he said.

“The fact we are effectively being paid in arrears make it difficult for us to plan for the future. Indeed many of our board meetings are spent discussing the funding issue and figuring out how we can get our money.”

Mr. Casement said Down Community Transport has had to suspend some aspects of its service for short periods due to the delay in funding payments being processed late.

“All we are seeking is clarity around our payments and assurances that they will no longer be paid in arrears. The fact this is happening is disadvantaging the elderly and the disabled, people who rely on the service we provide,” he added.

Mr. Shannon described the payment delay as an “elementary issue” that must be addressed by the government department and confirmed he plans to raise the issue with DRD Minister Danny Kennedy and DRD committee members.

The MP warned Down Community Transport should not be forced into a situation of having to cancel services because its agreed payments are not being made on time. He expressed concern that delaying payments is restricting the service being offered to disabled people in particular.

“For people to be told maybe a day or two before they are due to be taken somewhere by the transport organisation that there is no vehicle available due to a funding shortfall is simply not on,” declared Mr. Shannon.

“A significant number of the passengers who use Down Community Transport are confined to wheelchairs, with the service offered to them providing many with the only contact with the world beyond their door.”

Mr. Shannon said Stormont finance minister Sammy Wilson stated recently that

payments made to organisations such as Down Community Transport should be made promptly. The MP said he’s determined to ensure that this is the case so the organisation can continue to offer a vital service to people in the Down and Ards areas.