There are calls on the Government to prioritise the reopening of disability services now that mainstream schools have returned.
Inclusion Ireland, which represents people with intellectual disabilities, said day services are running 50% less than what they were prior to Covid-19 and many people cannot access those services due to transport limitations.
The Health Service Exeutive said it is addressing the provision of transport within resources that are available.
On average, a person who spent five days a week in day services is now spending two days a week in that service.
Michael Comerford is 18 and lives in Co Kilkenny with his mother Linda, his sister and two brothers.
He finished his special school this year, but before that happened, a bus funded by the Department of Education stopped at his door daily and brought him to school in Carlow, 45 minutes away, collecting others on the way.
His school, like every other, was shut when restrictions were introduced in March, and like students in mainstream education there was no graduation or event to celebrate his final year in the school that offered him so much.
It's not surprising that when he was asked where he would like to attend day services, he chose the one located behind the special school in Carlow.
His friends are there; training for the Special Olympics is there, and ultimately, it's where he is the happiest.
At the moment, Michael is awaiting final confirmation about his day service which is expected to start on the week of 14 September.
But, the big question is, how will he get there?
Michael cannot avail of the bus service he used to get because he is 18.
His mother Linda could bring him, but it would mean her three remaining children could not get to school.
All four of her children attend different schools.
Michael's sister also attends a special school because she has austim and her anxiety was so bad during lockdown that there were two hospital admissions in that time.
Linda cannot take the time out of the day to travel to Carlow with her eldest son every morning, so she put a business case to the Health Service Executive for transport for Michael, but was refused.
Transport appears to be a big problem for families of people with disabilities nationwide.
Carer Moira Skelly who fronted the launch of Family Carer's Ireland emergency card, this week described the situation as "ridiculous".
The HSE has acknowledged that there are challenges in the provision of transport services due to social distancing guidance which limits the number of people that can be facilitated on each journey.
In a statement, it said it is "addressing this issue within the resources available and in line with public health guidance".
Linda Comerford, like other parents of people with disabilities, believes their children should be part of the reopening of the country.
"This thing of we're in this together, I don't believe that anymore, we've been very much left behind", she said and called on the Government to "step up and realise it's leaving a section of society behind".
The Taoiseach spoke to Linda Comerford in recent weeks when she led a protest on the issue of the delayed reopening of day services outside the Dáil.
While she appreciates him coming outside to meet her, Linda said a footpath is not a constructive place for such a discussion and is requesting a face-to-face constructive meeting with Micheál Martin.
In the meantime, while Michael awaits the final word on when he can begin day service, he has been considering a second tattoo.
He's very proud of the first one which he says didn't hurt, although he acknowledges it was a little painful near the elbow.
The hope is that when he attends his day service of choice in Carlow, his friends will help him choose the illustration for the next tattoo.
