Vol. 566 No. 1
447 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused the mobility allowance; and the way in which this person can be discriminated against based on age as they either qualify for this allowance medically or not. [11712/03]
Mobility allowance is a means tested monthly payment, payable by the health boards for persons with a severe disability. Applicants must be 16 years or older and under 66 years. The allowance provides financial support to eligible persons 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 persons must reside at home or in any long-stay facility. Such eligible persons can continue to receive payment after they reach their 66th birthday. The current maximum rate of payment for the mobility allowance is €132 per month. The assessment of entitlement to and payment of the mobility allowance in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
