Finian McGrath
Question:1250. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding allowances in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [16851/13]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2013
Questions (1250)
Written answers
The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability who require transport supports from the State. The Government is also conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
Following detailed consideration of issues surrounding the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant, the Government decided in February that it is no longer possible to allow the two schemes to continue as they presently operate and to devise an alternative for meeting people’s needs. It is important to note that the decision is in no way intended to save costs and the funding involved in the two schemes (€10.6 million) remains committed to meeting the transport needs of relevant people. It is also important to note that despite the fact that both schemes ended for new applicants in February, the payment of the Mobility Allowance to those who are currently in receipt will continue until June as we devise an alternative method of meeting people’s needs.
A special Project Group, which is independently chaired, has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. The work of the Project Group includes a public consultation process, which is currently underway and available on the Department of Health's website www.doh.ie. Any views held by individuals or organisations on this matter can be made known to the Project Group, through this process. The results of the review will be presented to the Government before any final decisions are made on future arrangements. At this stage I am not in a position to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Revenue Commissioners' Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme is unaffected by the Government Decision in relation to the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes. Under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, a family member of a disabled passenger can qualify for tax relief linked to the purchase of vehicles, provided he/she is living with and is responsible for the transport of the disabled person in question, has acquired the vehicle for that purpose and the disabled passenger is the holder of a Primary Medical Certificate. Applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed by the HSE through local health offices.