Mobility Allowance Review

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (1171)

John O'Mahony

Question:

1171. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the schemes available to persons since the closing of the motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46612/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Motorised Transport Grant Scheme was illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts the grant was closed on the 26th February earlier this year. The scheme remains closed.

An inter-departmental group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach has been working to develop detailed proposals for the operation of a new statutory scheme for consideration by Government.

Mobility Allowance payments continue to be made on a temporary basis by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to current recipients. These will continue to be made for a further period pending the commencement of new statutory provisions in the interests of preventing hardship.

More information regarding travel supports is available from local Citizens Information Centres or their website at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/

Question No. 1172 answered with Question No. 1057.