Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 7

Written Answers. - Means Testing of Social Welfare Allowances.

Edward Nealon

Question:

111 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, who is receiving a mobility allowance that was non-means tested while resident in Britain, finds that, on return to live in this country, the comparable allowance here is means tested, resulting in severe hardship, considering the care and attention she requires on a constant basis; the position as regards the means testing of comparable allowances in other EC countries; if this aspect of social welfare is the subject of an EC Directive; and if there are any plans for changing the regulations as they exist in Ireland.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The mobility allowance scheme, which is administered by the health boards, is intended to assist people with disabilities who are unable to use public transport and who would benefit from occasional trips away from home.

Unlike the scheme in the United Kingdom, payment of mobility allowance here is subject to a means test which is similar to that operated for the Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance. I understand that the applicant and her spouse have been refused the allowance because her income and that of her spouse is in excess of the income guidelines.

I am having the implications of EC Directives on the mobility allowance scheme examined and I will be in touch with the Deputy again about this particular case.