Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2014

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Ceisteanna (309, 312, 314, 375)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the cost of restoring the motorised transport grant or an equivalent scheme of equal value. [37671/14]

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

312. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans to honour previous commitments made to develop an appropriate scheme to replace the mobility allowance scheme and motorised transport grant which were discontinued almost two years ago; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of these schemes to those who cannot access public transport, the fact that many persons would benefit hugely from the assistance afforded by those schemes; the progress made in the development of new schemes; if he will provide a timeframe for the introduction of a new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/14]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

314. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance; his plans on reintroducing these schemes or replacing them with alternatives; if so, when will they be introduced; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37704/14]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

375. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance for September 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will provide the cost for each of those allowance and grants for same periods [38107/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 312, 314 and 375 together.

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance schemes, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013. On 26th November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.

At the time the schemes were closed there were 4,700 recipients of Mobility Allowance at an annual cost of €9.3m and in excess of 300 people received the Motorised Transport Grant each year at an estimated cost of €1.3m per annum.