To ask the Minister of Health, in relation to the eligibility criteria for the Hospital Travel Cost Scheme, whether community transport is considered as an available form of public transport.

The eligibility criteria for the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme is published on the NI Direct website:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-health-costs

A person is either automatically entitled to a refund if they are in receipt of certain benefits or they have to apply through the Low Income Scheme. Guidance for refunding travel expenses refers to ‘reasonable travel expenses’ and advises that travel costs should be calculated on the basis of the cheapest form of public transport available to the patient, but it does not specifically mention community transport.