Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
515. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a new scheme for the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance schemes; when these schemes will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52849/13]
View answer533. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when his Department will replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant with a new scheme to assist persons with disabilities [52974/13]
View answer545. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; if the interdepartmental group has reported; if not, when the report is due; the timeline for the introduction of the proposed statutory schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53100/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515, 533 and 545 together.
The Government has decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions will be progressed as a priority by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers.
Payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to current recipients of the Mobility Allowance for a further period, pending decisions on the new statutory scheme.
The Government is aware of the needs of people with a disability relying on individual payments which contribute to choice and independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on the detail of the new scheme.
The existing position regarding Motorised Transport Grant remains as before i.e. the scheme remains closed. This matter will be considered further at a later date.
