Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

357 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the mobility allowance, which is available to those with physical disabilities, is not available to those who have mental disabilities and whose freedom of mobility is hindered due to their mental disability. [16729/03]

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

The mobility allowance is a monthly, means tested health board allowance. The purpose of this allowance is to provide financial support to eligible people with a severe disability aged between 16 years and 66 years 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.

To be eligible to receive this allowance applicants must satisfy the following conditions: be over 16 years and under 66 years; be living at home or maintained 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. It is necessary to satisfy a means test. A person with an intellectual disability can avail of the mobility allowance provided they meet the above criteria.

Question No. 358 answered with Question No. 333.