Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
531. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a replacement scheme for the motorised transport grant; if the funding put in place is still available or if it has been reallocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26626/14]
View answerThe Government decided in November 2013, that the preparatory work required for a new travel payment scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Proposals will be legally robust and must take account of the Ombudsman's findings that both the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant were illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
The Government made it clear in February 2013, that the decision to close the schemes was in no way intended to save costs and the funding involved in the two schemes remains committed to meeting the transport needs of relevant people. In fact, the Health Service Executive has continued to make payment to the 4,700 people who were in receipt of the monthly Mobility Allowance payment. The Motorised Transport Grant was a single grant payment payable once in any three year period and was made to approximately 300 people each year. Since the scheme closed, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been made.
