Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014
332. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the mobility allowance and mobility transport allowance; the scheme that has been put in place since the removal of those allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43401/14]
View answer333. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a replacement scheme for the mobility allowance scheme will be put in place; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43626/14]
View answer364. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the motorised transport grant or an alternative will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42922/14]
View answer383. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a replacement scheme for the now defunct motorised transport grant and mobility allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused to those with impaired mobility due to the failure to bring forward an alternative in a reasonable period; his views that it is acceptable that those with a disability have been left without such a scheme for 20 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43048/14]
View answer421. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when the replacement of the mobility allowance and motorised transport schemes will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43222/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 333, 364, 383 and 421 together.
The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the costs of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26 February 2013. The Government also decided that monthly payments would continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to those persons in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship, and alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
In November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. Work is on-going on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The challenge is to provide these benefits to a wider cohort of people, while continuing to cater for the 4,700 people, within a limited budget.
Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
