McAleer welcomes COVID vaccination plans

Declan McAleer MLA welcomes the joint initiative between DAERA and DFI to transport vulnerable people for COVID vaccination

Mr McAleer said: “This is a really good example of two government departments working together to meet the needs of local people.

“During the COVID response, the Rural Community Transport Partnerships were quick to adapt their operations to support isolated people with services like food parcel deliveries.

“The COVID vaccination initiative is another example of the benefit of Community Transport in reaching out to the most isolated and vulnerable people in our community to offer them transport to get vaccinated.

“I recently wrote to the Transport Minister, Nicola Mallon for more information on the roll out of the service.”

In her response, Minister Mallon stated: “Both scheme members and non-members can contact their local RTCP to request their journey, and subject to capacity, the operator will be able to deliver the trip, even where this falls outside of their usual operational area, under the DAL (Dial-A-Lift) scheme.

“Those people in possession of a valid Concessionary Fares Smartpass will be able to avail of either a full or half fare concession as a result of the Assisted Rural Travel Scheme funded by the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.

“RCTPs have consistently stepped up to play their part in connecting our rural communities, and now they are supporting those communities again by transporting people with a transport need to their local COVID vaccination appointment.”

Contact details for RCTP:

DOWNPATRICK 028 4461 6323; ARMAGH 028 3751 8151; PORTADOWN 028 3831 7810; NEWRY 028 30835657; COOKSTOWN 028 8676 7766; DUNGANNON 028 87729714; MAGHERAFELT 02879300123; STRABANE 028 7188 3282; OMAGH 028 8224 8140; LISBURN 028 9262 2030; BALLYCLARE 028 9334 2455; COLERAINE 028 7032 1234; ENNISKILLEN 028 6632 4260.