To ask the Minister for Social Development what short term support grants are available for small voluntary charitable community groups to help cover the cost of providing transport for clients to and from day centres.

There is no specific funding to bring people to and from day centres.

DSD’s Volunteering Small Grants Programme provides support direct to frontline volunteering organisations. The programme provides support to volunteer providing organisations to cover volunteer out-of-pocket expenses travel or equipment costs. In excess of £1.4m of funding has been allocated over the last two years supporting over 1300 organisations. The next phase of this programme is planned to launch in April / May 2015.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has confirmed that they work with the Department for Regional Development (DRD) to provide support for the Elderly and Disabled. Individuals receive concessionary travel on Rural Community Transport Partnership vehicles and DARD currently provides support to community and voluntary groups in rural areas.

In addition, the Health and Social Care Board has confirmed that they do not operate a grants scheme. However, some Health and Social Care Trusts may have service level agreements with local voluntary and community groups. These agreements may have statutory transport provided or have a transport element reflected in the contract or are designed for people who make their way independently to the Day Centre.