Vol. 475 No. 3
51 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the provisions, if any, which are currently available to help families with a severely mentally or physically handicapped child, living in rural areas, to provide transport for daily and emergency use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4722/97]
Transport for people with disabilities to health services is provided either directly by the health boards or through voluntary agencies providing services, including sheltered employment, on behalf of health boards. Where children are attending school services transport is the responsibility of the Department of Education.
The policy in relation to the development of services to persons with disabilities is to ensure, where possible, that the services provided are community based so as to minimise time spent in travelling to and from the services and to facilitate access for families.
Domiciliary care allowance is paid by health boards in respect of children between the ages of two and 16 years who are so severely physically or mentally disabled that they need care and attention which is considerably in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.
52 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance, if any, which is available in relation to providing transport for individuals who, due to a physical or mental illness, are not able to seek employment in view of the fact that they are restricted in their mobility due to location and lack of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/97]
A motorised transport grant scheme for disabled drivers has been in operation in my Department since 1968. The scheme was introduced to help disabled drivers to get a job and was later extended to include disabled drivers who needed a car to retain their employment. To be eligible for this scheme the applicant must need a car in order to earn a living. However, a person who lives in a very isolated area may also qualify for this scheme. Payment of the grant is also subject to a means test and the current maximum grant is £2,718.
In addition to the above, transport for people with disabilities to sheltered employment is provided either directly by the health boards or by voluntary agencies providing services for people with disabilities. Funding for this service is provided either by means of capital or lottery funding which my Department provides through the health boards.
The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities has considered this issue and its recommendations are currently being considered by the interdepartmental task force which is due to report to Government by 30 June 1997.
