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Motorised Transport Grant

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Questions (868)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

868. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when it is envisaged that the motorised transport grant and similar supports towards the purchase of an automatic or adapted vehicle will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/21]

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Written answers

By way of background, two schemes, the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant, were put in place in 1979 and 1968 respectively, for operation by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at a time when there was limited availability of accessible public transport.  The Government decided to close these administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. 

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes within the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.  A requirement of the scheme involves Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Medical Doctors making a clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate.

Following a Supreme Court decision in June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates had to be suspended.  While the approval of the Finance Act 2020 paved the way for assessments to recommence this year, the Community Medical Doctors have also played a key role in the National COVID-19 response, including the roll out of the vaccination programme.

I have been working with the HSE to ensure that the outstanding applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed as a matter of urgency.  HSE data indicates that 401 assessments were carried out between January and March 2021. 

The HSE is continuing to monitor progress on these assessments in the context of the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan.  I intend to keep the matter under review, to ensure that we continue to work our way through outstanding applications.

At the whole of Government level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 sets the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society.  Monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy is being overseen by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group.

Under the Strategy,  the Department of Transport, has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport and is committed to the continued development of accessible public transport in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities. 

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities.  I intend to revert to Government with proposals in due course.  Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:

- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's public consultation, to review active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;  

- The Cost of Disability Study currently underway which was commissioned by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as part of Budget 2019.  The research, when complete, will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;

- The Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy by the Department of Justice and Equality which states that:- 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.” ; and

- The review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme by the Department of Finance. 

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