The mobility allowance is a monthly payment which provides financial support to severely disabled people 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. The current maximum rate of the allowance is £45.60 per month and is being increased up to a maximum of £90 per month from 1 April 2001. It had been envisaged that from that date persons who benefit from the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme would be unable to also avail of mobility allowance. By definition, the beneficiaries of the tax-based scheme have access to transport which is heavily subsidised by the State, and the object of the new arrangement is to target the increased mobility allowance at incapacitated people who do not enjoy these advantages.
In consultation with the Minister for Finance, I have given further consideration to this proposal in the light of concerns expressed and representations received about the impact of complete cessation of the mobility allowance on some affected individuals, and it has now been decided that while the increased rate of up to a maximum of £90 per month will, as intended, be given only to people who are not also enjoying the tax concessions, those benefiting from both schemes should retain the mobility allowance at the existing rate of up to a maximum of £45.60 per month.
