Debate contribution: Day Centre Transport Services: East Belfast

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 3 March 2026.

MLA

Mr Mike Nesbitt

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

3 March 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Day Centre Transport Services: East Belfast

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5435149

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and thank you to all the Members for East Belfast who have contributed. I pay particular thanks to Andy and Joanne, who made me aware of the issues. Joanne invited me to visit the day centre. I am glad that I did, but I must say that my visit was informative rather than enjoyable, because there is no fun in hearing about the impacts of a lack of transport on service users, carers and parents. Towards the end of his remarks, Mr Brooks touched on some of the impacts. He talked about anxiety levels, behaviours, distress and harm among individuals who are unable to access their day-care services. Carers referred to difficulties as a result of having to make alternative arrangements at very short notice. On many occasions, that has resulted in associated costs, including the use of the personal independence payment (PIP) to assist with transport-related costs. That is not what PIP is for. Carers also expressed particular difficulty with organising alternative transport when taxis are unable to accommodate wheelchairs. Some wheelchairs are bulky, and some vehicles are not designed to accommodate them. Family carers advised that difficulties with transport arrangements can result in adults with a learning disability not being able to avail themselves of a full day's attendance at the day centre, which is their life. We are reducing their opportunities to engage in meaningful activity and reducing the support that is available to the carers, not least the few hours in which they can be themselves. As Minister of Health, I accept the need and consider it to be imperative not only to hear from staff but to listen to the views of families and service users about provision. From my visit, it was clear to me that day centres are an essential lifeline for many service users and carers. I took on board the issues that the families and service users raised about transport provision to and from the day centre. It was disappointing to hear from a family representative that transport issues had been ongoing without resolution, as Mr Brooks said, since 2019. Following my visit, departmental officials met trust representatives, and key actions were agreed with the Belfast Trust to address transport issues. In advance of the debate, officials contacted the trust to obtain an update on those agreed actions. I am pleased to report that there has been some improvement. On recruitment, the Belfast Trust transport team has advised that two bus drivers have commenced in post since 1 January this year: one in January and one in February. Additionally, two more drivers are due to commence post: one in March and the other in April. The trust further reported ongoing engagement with the Business Services Organisation to advertise again for bus drivers. The trust anticipates those vacancies being advertised early this month. The trust further reported that there has been an improvement in agency recruitment, with two drivers commencing via an agency in the past two weeks.

The trust continues to progress pathways to employment for bus drivers with the local council, supporting people who are currently unemployed to obtain the necessary licence. Time frames for that are yet to be finalised. The trust advises that its transport and human resources department continues to seek a resolution to the ongoing issues, as well as considering options to advance recruitment by using agencies and trust recruitment drives. The trust plans to progress more localised advertising and social media advertising. It is acknowledged that the issue of transport staff working to rule and the pay disparity compared with other employers will take time to address because it involves human resource and staff-side representatives. My officials advise that, although the issues remain challenging, the trust's transport service department is working hard to bring the service to full capacity. When it comes to considering additional buses, the Belfast Trust's transport service advises Edgcumbe Day Centre and all other centres in the trust area that it does not have a bus shortage. The Belfast Trust confirmed that five buses are currently out of operation, including those that have planned routine service requirements. The trust considers, however, that there are enough spare buses to cope with any that may be off-road due to service or maintenance requirements. The trust advises that the main issue regarding transport to Edgcumbe is driver shortages, with one vacancy and one long-term sickness. The trust plans to fill that vacancy in the coming weeks. Trust representatives advised that the trust continues to explore alternative transport provision as appropriate and in line with assessed need. Trust and departmental officials remain committed to addressing transport issues to ensure that individuals assessed as requiring support with transport consistently receive that support. Family carers and service users should direct any queries to the trust to ensure that alternative service provision to assist family carers in their role is fully explored. The Belfast Trust has provided a contact number for families in the event that they experience issues: the transport supervisor's number is 028 9504 0801. That line is live from 7.30 am until 8.30 pm. The number will be available in the Hansard report, once it is published.

I thank the Member for that question. Yes, I have done that. In fact, before I left Edgcumbe that day in late January, I spoke to officials about the quantum that would be required to bring the hourly rate for those drivers into line with the rate in other statutory services. The answer was that it would be a very significant sum of money. That brings me on to this point. Mr Brooks said that, if it is on the risk register, it is time for action and that, if the system is broken, it needs to be addressed. My question to Mr Brooks is this: how? The learning disability service is the third-largest programme of care in Health and Social Care when measured by cost. The cost equates to around £500 million per annum, and it is expected that it will continue to grow because we have increasing rates of disability. It is really good news that children are now surviving into adulthood because we are able to care for them better than we were previously. The problem is that, if I need to find millions of pounds to bring the hourly rate up to something that is competitive with the other statutory services, where will I get that money? A couple of hours ago, I was involved in another debate in the Chamber, and the mood and will of the Assembly was that I should find about £2·5 million to fully deliver on the business case for eating disorder services. During that debate, Mr McGrath made clear that I am delivering less than 20% of the £1·2 billion that it will cost to deliver the mental health strategy in full over its 10-year lifespan.

Every week, I am in the Chamber to hear the will of Members that I do more for a particular service or set of services. The money does not exist. I will give way to the Member by all means.

1,193 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:03 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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