Vol. 557 No. 4
331 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reverse the decision to cease the payment of mobility allowance to people who have received the motorised transport grant in the previous three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/02]
A national health board working group was established towards the end of 1999. One of the main objectives of this group was to examine the disability related allowances which come under the remit of my Department, including the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant. Based on the recommendations of this group, new circulars were drawn up which came into effect on 1 July 2002.
The circular relating to the mobility allowance states:
As the payment of the motorised transport grant is subject to the condition that a health board will not be called upon at any future date to contribute towards the running costs of a vehicle which was purchased or adapted with the assistance of a motorised transport grant, a person who has received the motorised transport grant in the previous three years cannot qualify for mobility allowance. Where a mobility allowance recipient wishes to avail of a motorised transport grant, mobility allowance should cease from the date of payment of the motorised transport grant.
There are no plans to change this circular.
