Calls have been made for the State to pay road-tax for charitable vehicles transporting cancer patients to hospital appointments.
Speaking in the Seanad this week, local Senator Robbie Gallagher mentioned the work carried out by the Crocus Cancer Support Centre in Monaghan.
The two ‘Crocus cruisers’ drive patients to and from hospital appointments, and is entirely free for the membership.
The drivers' fuel and travel-related costs are also covered by the organisation.
Vehicles range from custom wheelchair accessible minibuses to standard cars, ensuring that vulnerable patients safely reach critical treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy without financial or geographical barriers
Senator Gallagher believes that the state could contribute to the vehicles road tax.
He said: “Crocus is just one of many support groups across the country that are doing this invaluable work and we are deeply indebted to them all.
“Similarly, Blood Bikes provides a crucial service to hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes and GPs across Ireland by delivering and retrieving urgent medical essentials, including whole blood, plasma, fresh milk, and many other critical items. Its rapid transport solutions fulfil individual patient requirements quickly and play a vital role in life-saving efforts.
“Their skilled volunteers are trained to the highest standards and equipped with the best technology to ensure swift and sure delivery or pickups.
“These services are vital and that is why it is such a pity that charities have to raise funds to pay for road tax on these vehicles that provide such essential services. It would not be unreasonable that these fees for road tax should be waived for these particular organisations.
“We are deeply indebted to these volunteers, who do such great work, and I feel that it would be a little ‘thank you’ to those organisations if the State was able to pick up the fee for road tax,” he added.
