Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Committee on Public Petitions

Discontinued Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Schemes: Minister of State at the Department of Health

1:30 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The honest answer is "No", because the talks are still going on with DPER. I do not know at this stage. I know what I want to do, but how I get there is a different debate. The bottom line is that I want to ensure that the Bill will cover the maximum number of people. I have a caveat that the most needy people have to be prioritised. If it comes to a decision between getting this legislation in place for a particular amount, or succeeding and getting a little bit or half of it, I will have to make that decision. No one is closing me down yet on the debate. I am pushing for the maximum. I know the maximum figure and I will negotiate with that in mind. When that is finalised we will have some sort of idea. I am not holding back on the figures. I am pushing for the maximum, and I am hoping for a reasonable accommodation. Many Deputies and Senators in the room want to support me for the maximum because they have their own ideas about helping people with disabilities.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.