Vol. 441 No. 3
115 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if he has considered raising the level of mobility allowance from the current £36 per month to £25 per week as recommended by the Irish Wheelchair Association in their pre-budget submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The mobility allowance for handicapped persons was introduced to finance the occasional taxi journey for severely handicapped persons unable to walk or use public transport who would benefit from trips from home. This allowance is normally paid in addition to the disabled persons maintenance allowance of £59.20 per week or other social welfare payments.
The mobility allowance is currently £432,000 per annum and will be increased in July, 1994 to £445.00 per annum in line with budgetary increases in social welfare and health allowances. The question of income maintenance for people with disabilities is being considered by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities which was established by my colleague, Mr. Mervyn Taylor TD, Minister for Equality and Law Reform in November, 1993. I will consider the level of the Mobility Allowance in the light of the Commission's recommendations.
