'Vulnerable at risk through proposed NACT cuts'

Concerns have been raised recently over funding to North Antrim Community Transport.

In a letter to Moyle District Council’s chief executive, Richard Lewis, North Antrim SDLP MLA Declan O’Loan, said: “I have been contacted by a number of people concerned with the loss of funding to North Antrim Community Transport (NACT) which provides the facility to attend hospital appointments.

“Originally funding was supplied by the Northern Health and Social Services Board, however with the changes following the Review of Public Administration the responsibility now lies with the Public Health Agency.

“It is important to note that funding has not been withdrawn but was given on a year to year basis with no guarantees to NACT that funding would continue beyond the end of this or any previous financial year.”

He added: “The Rural Transport scheme has a huge social impact and the loss of funding for hospital appointments will have a profound affect on those who are at their most vulnerable when they are unwell.”

Chairperson for Moyle District Council Cara McShane told a meeting of the council it is imperative the service is maintained.

“12k or 13k set aside for this is not enough,” she said.

“Not only should we be calling for money to be reinvested but we need more money to be put in the pot.

“Health services are depleting in this area. I think this has to be highlighted.”

Councillor McShane’s Sinn Fein party colleague Oliver McMullan said council “should do anything it can” to protect the service.

“This is going to leave a lot of vulnerable people in a bad way,” said councillor McMullan.