Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:56 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a budget 2002 submission from the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25519/01]
Written Answers. - Budget Submissions.
I am in receipt of the Irish Wheelchair Association's pre-budget submission and I would like to outline my response to the issues raised in it.
The mobility allowance is a monthly payment which provides financial support to severely disabled people who are unable to walk or use public transport and is intended to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings, for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey.
My Department from time to time considers changes to the disability related allowances which come under its aegis to ensure that the most appropriate agreed financial supports and allowances are provided to people with disabilities. As an example of such a change, from 1 April 2001, the maximum rate of the mobility allowance has been increased from a maximum of £45.60, 57.90, per month to a maximum of £90, 114.28, per month.
It had been envisaged that from 1 April 2001, persons who benefit from the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' – tax concessions – scheme would be unable to also avail of mobility allowance. By definition, the beneficiaries of the tax-based scheme have access to transport which is heavily subsidised by the State, and the object of the new arrangement is to target the increased mobility allowance at incapacitated people who do not enjoy these advantages.
In consultation with the Minister for Finance, I gave further consideration to this proposal in the light of concerns expressed and representations received about the impact of complete cessation of the mobility allowance on some affected individuals, and it has now been decided that while the increased rate of up to a maximum of £90, 114.28, per month will, as intended be given only to people who are not also enjoying the tax concessions, those benefiting from both schemes should retain the mobility allowance at the existing rate of up to a maximum of £45.60, 57.90, per month.
To be eligible to receive this allowance applicants must satisfy the following conditions: be over 16 years and under 66 years. However, an allowance, once granted, will be continued after this age as long as the other criteria for eligibility are met; be living at home or maintained by a health board in any long-term institution; be unable to walk, even with the use of artificial limbs or other suitable aids, or must be in such a condition of health that the exertion required to walk would be dangerous; inability to walk has to be likely to persist for at least one year; moving of the applicant must not have been forbidden for medical reasons; and be in a condition to benefit from a change in surroundings.
It is a matter for the senior area medical officer in the relevant health board to decide whether the medical criteria are satisfied in each case. Applicants must undergo a means test to decide eligibility. My Department is currently undertaking an examination of the disability-related allowances which come under its aegis and are administered by the health boards. In this context, issues relating to the mobility allowance age limits are being considered.
With regard to the use of the FÁS community employment scheme to provide staff for the Irish Wheelchair Association's resource centres, it is acknowledged that this is not an appropriate method of funding such a service. Discussions are ongoing between officials from my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the mainstreaming of health-related services being provided through the community employment scheme, to the health sector.
Under the national development plan, just over £92 million, 116.816 million, has been allocated for the ongoing development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, including the development and renovation of resource centres. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of services are decided by the health boards in consultation with the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service providers, including the Irish Wheelchair Association, and consumers are represented on the co-ordinating committees.