Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Richard Bruton

Question:

110 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the income thresholds and maximum grant values which apply in different income ranges for the mobility allowance and for the motorised transport grant; and their value in euros. [30213/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The mobility allowance is a monthly payment administered by the health boards 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.

Eligible people who do not benefit from the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme may avail of a mobility allowance up to a maximum of £90 – 114.28 – per month. Eligible people who benefit from the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme may avail of a mobility allowance up to a maximum of £45.60 – 57.90 – per month.

Applicants must undergo a means test to decide eligibility. The threshold income used in determining eligibility is the disability allowance rate. If the income of the applicant does not exceed the current rate of disability allowance, the applicant will qualify for the appropriate full rate of the mobility allowance. Where the applicant's income exceeds the current rate of disability allowance, the rate of the mobility allowance is reduced accordingly. For those applicants on disability allowance, invalidity pension or infectious diseases maintenance allowance, income earned up to a maximum of £75 – 95.23 – per week of a therapeutic or rehabilitative nature, can be disregarded for the purpose of assessing mobility allowance.

The motorised transport grant is a means tested payment administered by the health boards. The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to persons with a disability who may need a car to obtain-retain employment or to provide assistance to persons with a disability who are living in very isolated circumstances and have serious transport problems. The maximum grant payable to eligible people is £3,300 – 4,190.14. The guidelines for assessment used are reviewed by the health boards on an annual basis and reflect the average weekly industrial earnings.

Assessment is based on the income of the applicant and spouse, if any, together with any income derived from investment, letting, etc. This is reduced by the following outgoings: allowances for rent, mortgage interest repayments, exceptional needs or expenses exceeding £5 – 6.35 – per week; allowances as permissible under the income tax code, i.e. applicant £1,000 – 1269.74 – PAYE allowance – first grant only – and £4,200 – 5332.90 – for dependent spouse.

The following table gives details of the amount of motorised transport grant applicable to a particular net income category.

Motorised Transport Grant (First time applicants)

Net Income £	First Grant £
Up to 15,400	3,300	4,190
15,400-15,550	3,300	4,190
15,551-15,700	3,250	4,127
15,701-15,850	3,175	4,031
15,851-16,000	3,100	3,936
16,001-16,150	3,025	3,841
16,151-16,300	2,950	3,746
16,301-16,450	2,850	3,619
16,451-16,600	2,750	3,492
16,601-16,750	2,650	3,365
16,751-16,900	2,550	3,238
16,901-17,050	2,450	3,111
17,051-17,200	2,350	2,984
17,201-17,350	2,250	2,857
17,351-17,500	2,150	2,730
17,501-17,650	2,050	2,603
17,651-17,850	1,950	2,476