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Mobility Allowance Decision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Ceisteanna (214, 216, 217)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

214. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the amount the new mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme will cost if the alternative scheme is put in place before the present mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme is rescinded; if it will be available to persons over 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28204/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

216. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the progress made by the review group advising his Department in relation to the effects of the decision to abolish the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant; if a new scheme will be introduced before these schemes are ended; the interim arrangements he will put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28207/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Robert Troy

Ceist:

217. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the progress on an alternative scheme to the mobility allowance scheme and motorised transport grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 216 and 217 together.

The Government decided yesterday to extend payments of Mobility Allowance to those currently in receipt for a further number of months, pending establishment of new statutory provisions to support the mobility needs of people with severe disabilities. The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability who have relied on individual payments of Mobility Allowance to support their independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on future arrangements.

Following detailed consideration of the Interim Report of the Review Group the Government has decided that new statutory provisions will be established to provide individual payments to people with severe disabilities who require additional income to address the costs of their mobility needs. The Government has agreed that an inter-departmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, will now be asked to develop detailed proposals for the operation of the new scheme or schemes, including eligibility criteria, costs and administrative arrangements, and it should report back to Government by October.

The Government has agreed that payments should temporarily continue to be made by the HSE to those persons currently in receipt of the Mobility Allowance for a further number of months, pending the commencement of new statutory provisions, on the basis that this would prevent hardship, and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.

The existing position regarding the Motorised Transport Grant remains as before, i.e. the scheme remains closed. The inter-departmental group will examine this issue as part of its considerations of how future statutory arrangements should operate. The existing funding of €10.6m per annum remains committed to support the mobility needs of people with severe disabilities.

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