Vol. 457 No. 4
15 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to extend the motorised transport grant to cover disabled children who have to be transported to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/95]
(Limerick East): The motorised transport grant scheme was introduced in 1968 to help adults with a disability purchase a car to enable them to obtain or retain employment. Persons with disabilities living in a very isolated area may also qualify for the scheme.
The scheme is not designed to assist in the transport of children to or from school which is the responsibility of the Department of Education. However, the Department of Education has been in touch with my Department concerning the possibility of co-ordinating transport provision for children with a disability. This is an issue which will be examined by the health-education inter-departmental co-ordinating committee to address issues of common concern in the provision of services to children with a disability.
Both Departments stated they were not responsible for assisting in the provision of transport for a child attending a special school. I am delighted to hear the Minister's reply. In view of the urgency of providing transport in this case, when will a decision be made on who will provide it?
(Limerick East): If children, disabled or otherwise, are unable to travel to school, the primary responsibility for transporting them lies with the Department of Education. The question tabled deals with the transport grant scheme which does not cover children. It applies to adults and is to enable them obtain or retain employment. In a minority of cases, adults living in isolated rural areas may qualify. The question is not relevant to the scheme but, as I pointed out in my reply, the Departments of Health and Education set up an interdepartmental co-ordinating committee to which I will refer this issue.
When the chief director of community care brought this to my attention two Departments, Health and Education were mentioned as denying responsibility. As it is the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, who looks after children's issues, particularly those relating to handicapped children, I directed my question first to the Department of Health but I have also raised it with the Department of Education. Can the Minister say when he expects one or other Department to decided which will deal with the glaring omission and anomaly in the operation of these schemes?
(Limerick East): The scheme central to the Deputy's question is not relevant to children, nor are there any plans to extend it to render it relevant to them. It is a scheme to provide a grant to disabled adults to organise transport and drive cars. Clearly it is an adult scheme and does not fall remotely within the terms of reference that would apply to children. Nonetheless I will ensure that the problem identified by the Deputy is brought to the attention of the health and education interdepartmental co-ordinating committee, but I will not give him any time commitment because primary responsibility resets with the Department of Education and I would be unable to deliver on any commitment I might give the Deputy.
Will the Minister ensure that his Minister of State, Deputy Currie — who I understand has special responsibility for issue affecting children — will take up this matter and have it resolved expeditiously?
(Limerick East): Both my Minister of State are very helpful in ensuring that the concerns of all people falling within the ambit of my Department, particularly children, are catered for but the interdepartmental committee operates at official rather than ministerial level, which is where this matter will be processed in the first instance.
