Vol. 569 No. 3
324 Ms Fox asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce an extension to the mobility allowance for those with impaired vision, especially those in rural areas where there is no public transport to allow them undertake essential journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17683/03]
The mobility allowance is a monthly, means tested health board allowance. The purpose of this allowance is to provide financial support to eligible people with a severe disability 16 years and over and under 66 years who are unable to walk or use public transport and is intended to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings – for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey.
To be eligible to receive this allowance applicants must satisfy the following conditions: be over 16 years and under 66 years; be living at home or maintained in any long-term institution; be unable to walk, even with the use of artificial limbs or other suitable aids, or must be in such a condition of health that the exertion required to walk would be dangerous; inability to walk has to be likely to persist for at least one year; moving of the applicant must not have been forbidden for medical reasons.
In August 2002, the Department of Health and Children received the submission of the National Health Board Review Group on the Department of Health and Children's disability allowances-grant schemes. One of the recommendations of the review group was the establishment of a medical criteria review group to examine certain health board allowances or grants, including the mobility allowance. The issues raised by the Deputy will be addressed in that context.
