I propose to take Questions Nos. 790 and 905 together.
Following detailed consideration of the Interim Report of the Review Group, 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 Government decided that new statutory provisions should be established to provide individual payments to people with severe disabilities, who require additional income to address the costs of their mobility needs.
An Inter-Departmental Group was asked to develop detailed proposals, including eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements, and to report back to Government. Following receipt of the Inter-Departmental Group's initial proposals, 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. Officials from the Department of Health are working to progress this matter and will engage with other Government Departments as required. The existing position regarding the Motorised Transport Grant remains as before i.e. the scheme remains closed. The Inter-Departmental Group will consider this further at a later date.
In the meantime, payments up to €208.50 per month 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.