Tom Kitt
Ceist:54 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the assistance which he can give regarding the transport costs for persons (details supplied) in Dublin 16 who are suffering from Friedrich's Ataxia.
Written Answers. - Transports Costs.
Responsibility for the provision of services to the family in question is a matter for the Eastern Health Board. I understand that the board are providing considerable assistance to the family. Three of the children are in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance, currently £47.20 per week. A domiciliary care allowance of £79 per month is being paid to the parents in respect of the fourth child. In addition one of the children with disabled person's maintenance allowance also receives a mobility allowance of £30 per month. Those on disabled person's maintenance allowance automatically get free travel and two of them have unrestricted travel passes to facilitate them in attending the Rehabilitation Institute and the Irish Wheelchair Association's Activity Centre.
The board has also approved of a grant to cover the cost of driving instruction for one of the children who is likely to qualify for a motorised transport grant of up to £1,500 from the health board. I might also mention that if he were to buy a new car specially adapted for his use, he could avail of the Revenue Commissioners schemes for refund of VAT and excise duty on the car, refund of excise duty on petrol and free road tax. The Revenue Commissioners also operate a scheme for the refund of taxes on new vans converted for the carriage of wheelchairs.
If the Deputy considers that any further assistance could be provided to the family he should contact the health board in this regard.