Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2013
198. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans for the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; the way recipients will be affected when current payments are scheduled to cease; if the review group has reported and the recommendations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24809/13]
View answer207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if details are available for the new scheme which is to replace the mobility allowance scheme; if those who are currently in receipt of the mobility allowance will transfer automatically to the new payment; the date on which applications will be accepted for the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 207 together.
The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability. The payment of Mobility Allowance will continue until June. A Project Review Group has been working to seek solutions which do not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. An interim report regarding the immediate issue of the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes has now been submitted to both Minister Reilly and myself and is under consideration with a view to bringing it to Government in the near future. A final report, looking at the wider issue of general transport for people with disabilities will be submitted in June. At this stage, it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government. Announcements will be made following a Government decision on the matter.
