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

I sure do. I have worked with Senator Dolan in the past. We have crossed swords but I know the issues he is highlighting are very important. I totally commend his work on disabilities and also his work with the Disability Federation of Ireland.

The motorised transport scheme was abolished in February 2013 by the former Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, who was at the helm during that difficult period. The scheme was discontinued in response to the Ombudsman's report. Concerns were raised that some of the schemes could discriminate against people with intellectual disabilities.

Senator Dolan raised the question of accessibility and the difficulties experienced by a young student. It is unacceptable that any Irish citizen might have such an experience. I will raise this case with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Bus Éireann. What happened was not acceptable. I will also raise the notice period and the 3 p.m. cut-off time on Friday for those who wish to travel on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. I will raise this issue with the Department, with Bus Éireann and with the travel companies as well.

The Senator commented on Ministers and officials jumping up and down about the money we get for disabilities. I want much more money spent on services for those with disabilities. I totally accept that a great deal more work needs to be done. Spending on disability services in the region of €1.763 billion was announced in the 2018 Estimates and Senator Dolan is correct in referring to the value of the spend and the social participation of persons with disabilities. Part of my job, and that of the Senator, is to ensure that the money goes to the most needy and to persons with disabilities.

The Senator stated that the people who do not qualify for the new scheme are in limbo. I cannot give him a response in that regard but I will undertake to come back him with more direct answers.

Rolling out the provisions of the Equality Act involved significant cost implications. Age was also an issue.

In a report published in 2011, the Ombudsman stated that the mobility allowance scheme was incompatible with the Equal Status Acts and recommended that the scheme should be revised so as to make it compliant with those Acts by removing the upper age limit and using a broader definition of disability in respect of eligibility for both schemes. These recommendations raise significant losses of a legal, financial and practical nature, particularly as regards extending the eligibility to a significantly wider cohort. I will come back to Senator Dolan in greater detail on the issues he raised. The Department is in regular contact with the Ombudsman. I will raise the question of the cut-off time for people travelling on public transport with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.