Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
113 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the current value of the motorised transport grant; the maximum value of the grant; the means thresholds which apply to the grant; the indices which are used to adjust the values each year; the date for which new rates came into force; and the period over which the index is measured. [30861/04]
View answerA motorised transport grant of up to 75% of the actual cost of purchasing or adapting a car, which takes into account the trade-in value of a car being replaced, may be provided up to a limit of €4,575. Where a person qualifies for both the motorised transport grant and the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions scheme, the motorised transport grant payable should not exceed the net outlay incurred, taking into account the benefit of the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' tax concessions scheme.
The means of the applicant and the applicant's spouse/partner, if any, are taken into account. Means are determined on the basis of gross income less statutory deductions and allowances in respect of rent and mortgage repayments, but include income from assets, investments, lettings etc. The following are not considered as means: an allowance received from an organisation approved by the Minister for Health and Children or the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment while undergoing a course of rehabilitative or vocational training; blind welfare allowance; carer's allowance-benefit; child benefit; domiciliary care allowance; foster care allowance; higher education grants; income up to a maximum amount approved in employment of a therapeutic or rehabilitative nature; living alone allowance; moneys received from charitable organisations other than remuneration; special compensation awards that are exempted by legislation such as hepatitis C, thalidomide; supplementary welfare allowance; and travel and meal allowances paid to participants on Government approved schemes. Any net income in excess of the national average industrial wage, €26,940.16, is deducted from the maximum grant payable of €4,575 on a euro-by-euro basis.
Any increase in health related allowances and grants is dealt with in the context of the budget and is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
