Debate contribution: Day Centre Transport Services: East Belfast
Debate contribution by Mr Andy Allen MBE on .
- MLA
- Mr Andy Allen MBE
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 3 March 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Adjournment
- Heading
- Day Centre Transport Services: East Belfast
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5435139
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important Adjournment debate. I thank my constituency colleague Joanne Bunting MLA for securing it. As we have heard, Edgcumbe is a vital day centre that supports adults over the age of 18, many of whom have complex support needs. Attendance provides structure, routine and social engagement that underpin well-being and independence and provides families with much-needed respite. When transport works, the system works. When it does not, the impact is felt immediately. There have been repeated issues with unreliability, including buses not arriving and cancellations at short notice. For those who depend heavily on routine, that sudden disruption can cause real distress. For families and providers, it means scrambling to rearrange work patterns and staffing and support arrangements at the last minute. Those affected live on tightly defined incomes. Their payments cover accommodation, care and essential living costs, leaving only a modest personal allowance. However, when transport fails, they can be left having to cover the cost of taxis themselves. In some cases, individuals cannot travel independently, as the Member outlined, meaning that the cost must cover both their own fare and that of an escort, resulting in multiple journeys at a significant cost. Even then, not all taxi providers can accommodate certain wheelchairs. For some, it may be an option, but, for the majority, it is neither practical nor accessible. A fallback to taxis when transport fails is not sustainable or acceptable. Attendance at a statutory day-care centre should not depend on whether someone can afford an emergency fare or find a suitable mode of transport at short notice. There is also a safeguarding aspect. The adults who attend Edgcumbe depend on routine. When that routine is disrupted and days are missed, that is not something that they can simply make up the following week. The impact can be felt quickly in their mood, behaviour and overall stability. Often, it is the families who are left to pick up the pieces and manage that fallout. I fully appreciate that unforeseen situations will arise. However, as has been mentioned, that is not what is occurring in this instance. Recruitment and retention challenges across social care can be an issue. Transport provision appears to be particularly affected, with drivers able to secure higher rates of pay from other employers. I recently raised that issue directly with the Minister, following representation from a constituent who was affected. I know that the Minister, the Department and the trust have been working to resolve that, but, to date, it has not been resolved satisfactorily. It is clear that, if the structural issues are not addressed, reliability will continue to suffer. I ask the Minister to outline how many journeys to Edgcumbe have been cancelled in the past year due to driver shortages, whether driver pay and conditions have been benchmarked against comparable roles and what concrete steps are being taken to improve stability in this area. I also urge the consideration of a formal contingency arrangement so that, should transport fail — I hope that, through this intervention and other engagement that Joanne, Gavin and I have had with the Minister, it will not — individuals are not left out of pocket or unable to attend their day centre. We all know the difference that Edgcumbe makes. The staff are dedicated and committed. I echo the comments of Ms Bunting in paying tribute to the dedicated staff. Their ability to deliver depends on the ability of those who attend to access the service. For those who rely on Edgcumbe, transport is not secondary to the service; it is what makes it possible. None of the issues will be new to the Minister. He, Joanne, Gavin Robinson MP and I heard directly from those with lived experience during the Minister's visit on 29 January 2026. Their concerns are clear, and they have been raised for years. It is imperative that the concerns raised by families at that meeting are addressed in order to deliver long-term reliability and confidence in transport to Edgcumbe.
675 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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