Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

33 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Eastern Health Board operates a scheme which provides funding to assist those suffering from mobility disabilities to purchase a car if it is necessary to attend their place of work; and if he will make representations to the appropriate Minister to extend this scheme to students who wish to attend university but find it difficult as a result of impaired mobility. [21870/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

The motorised transport grant was introduced in 1968 by way of Department of Health Circular 7/68. The guidelines were reviewed and modified in letters of 19 February 1974, 15 March 1974 and 15 January 1998.

The motorised transport grant is a grant which may be paid by the health boards towards the purchase of a car and/or adaptations to a car being purchased by a person with a severe disability who is 17 years or older and up to 65 years of age, where such a car is essential for him or her to obtain or retain employment. Self-employed persons who satisfy the criteria of eligibility may also be considered, subject to above age limits. In cases, where an application is made on the basis of obtaining or retaining employment or self-employment, the board must be satisfied that the applicant is capable of holding down a job, has the physical capacity to drive the vehicle and is qualified to hold a driver's licence, whether full or provisional. However, a qualified person with a disability who is incapable of driving or who has been medically advised not to drive and who has to be driven to and from his or her place of employment will only be considered eligible for a grant provided that he or she will be driven by another named person to and from his or her place of employment. The car must be purchased in the name of the person with a disability.

Following a request by my Department, a national health board working group was established towards the end of 1999. One of the main objectives of this group was to examine all the various disability related allowances-grants which come under the remit of my Department, including the motorised transport grant. The group submitted its recommendations in August 2002. The group has recommended the extension of the scheme to those in third level education. My Department is currently examining the group's recommendations.