It's hoped that a short-term solution can be found to save door-to-door transport service which is used by dozens of Clare residents with disabilities.
This morning, around 50 people attended a meeting on the future of the service which is run by the Disabled People of Clare Group.
The meeting heard shock and anger from family members of those who rely on the service.
The DPOC transport service which was set up in 1992 is unique in providing a taoilored transport – to work, school, or other facilities – to 27 individual clients from all over the county.
Staff and board members say they've been hit by a gradual erosion of funding and other supports.
Today's meeting outlined recent changes to eligibility for VRT refunds – as well as changes to the way in which HSE funds can be used.
Those issues, coupled with a drastic reduction in the number of staff available through the Community Employment Scheme, mean that the cost of running the service has spiralled and is now estimated at 93-thousand euros per year.
That's a bill the DPOC can no longer afford.
It's manager Martina Halpin says the decision to end the service was a difficult one, but impossible to avoid.
The meeting heard from carers, parents and siblings, as well as clients of the transport service themselves.
The meeting was attended by Clare's two Fine Gael TDs who both pledged to help save the transport service.
Efforts are ongoing to set up a long-term service under the auspices of the National Transport Authority. In the short terms, it's hoped that the HSE might provide support until a workable solution is find.
