Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
697. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have availed of the mobility allowance in each year since the scheme ended in 2013, in tabular form; the cost each year to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/22]
View answer698. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have availed of the motorised transport grant in each year since the scheme ended in 2013; the cost each year to the Exchequer, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13033/22]
View answer699. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the findings of the review group chaired by a person (details supplied) which was set up to seek up an alternative method for ensuring that the needs of persons affected by the discontinuance of both the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes can be provided for in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/22]
View answer700. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reintroducing and expanding both the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes in a manner which complies with the Equal Status Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13035/22]
View answer701. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons who would be eligible for the mobility allowance if it were reintroduced in a manner which complies with the Equal Status Acts; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reintroducing the mobility allowance in a manner which complies with the Equal Status Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13036/22]
View answer702. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons who would be eligible for the motorised transport grant if it were reintroduced in a manner which complies with the Equal Status Acts; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of reintroducing the motorised transport grant in a manner which complies with the Equal Status Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13037/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 697 to 702, inclusive, together.
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 to new applicants, 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 Motorised Transport Grant operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum grant, payable once to an individual in any three-year period was €5,020. Prior to the closure of the Scheme in 2013, approximately 300 people per annum qualified for a grant an estimated cost of €1.3 million per annum. The Scheme has remained closed.
In 2013, the Government also decided to continue payment of the monthly Mobility Allowance on an interim basis, to those who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the Scheme closed. Of the 4,700 individuals in receipt of the Mobility Allowance (€9 million per annum) when the Scheme closed in 2013, there were 3,532 people in receipt of the interim payments at March, 2021.
On foot of the work of the Review Group on Transport Supports for People with Disabilities to which the Deputy refers, the Government decided to establish an Interdepartmental Group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, to develop details of statutory provisions to provide individual payments to people with severe disabilities, who require additional income to address the cost of their mobility needs. In November 2013, the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and the associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers.
Work is continuing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities and therefore I cannot comment on the estimated number of people who might qualify for any new Scheme or indeed the estimated cost of such a Scheme. 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 review of active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
- The Cost of Disability Study, commissioned by the Department of Social Protection, which 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, which is now under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disabilities, Integration and Youth, to lead a review of all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities. The Working Group was reconvened on 26 January, 2022; and
- The Department of Finance's commitment to review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
As the Deputy’s questions relating to numbers of recipients of the Mobility Allowance and related costs since 2013 are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
