Ms Catherine Cox:

I thank the committee members for the opportunity to speak today regarding inclusive transport for persons with disabilities. Our opening statements will focus specifically on the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance - both withdrawn in 2013 - and Revenue's disabled drivers and passengers scheme. The latter is only remaining transport scheme available to people with disabilities and their family carers. We believe that denying people access to transport is, by default, denying them access to employment, education and the right to interact in their community.

The motorised transport grant and mobility allowance were introduced in 1968 and 1979, respectively, meaning that for 45 years they formed a vital part of the transport infrastructure that enabled people with disabilities to live independently in their communities. The Department of Health's announcement in February 2013 that both schemes would be discontinued because they were in breach of the Equal Status Act resulted in a profound loss to people with disabilities and their wider families. In many cases, adapted vehicles secured under the motorised transport grant were purchased and driven by a family member of a person with a disability. The removal of these financial supports meant that many family carers could no longer afford to purchase accessible vehicles or pay for the fuel or taxi costs necessary to transport their loved ones. As members can appreciate, this has been greatly exacerbated by spiralling fuel costs.

The withdrawal of both schemes was supposed to be a short-term measure. The failure to replace them during the past decade, despite many commitments to do so, has led to the illogical situation whereby those who received a mobility allowance prior to 2013 have been allowed to keep it, while others who are equally deserving and in need of transport support are locked out of the scheme. It also means that the only transport support available is the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, which is targeted only at those with severe physical disabilities, with no support available to those with intellectual or non-physical disabilities.

It has been recognised for many decades that transport costs are higher for many disabled people. Transport is also recognised as one of the essential services required to realise independent living.

However, research shows that the cost of transport limits their decision to travel. Many have to rely on family and friends, which reduces their independence.

Family Carers Ireland believes that a one-size-fits-all system for mobility support will not work. Neither will an attempt to shoehorn people with disabilities into existing transport schemes. Rather, we recommend the continued payment of a cash allowance. This would give people with disabilities and their carers greater choice and flexibility in the type of transport they choose to use. This is particularly important for those living in rural areas. Existing schemes, such as Accessible Community Transport Southside and Vantastic, should be fully evaluated. If they are found to meet the needs of people with a disability and their families they should be adequately funded.

The disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme offered by Revenue is the only remaining transport scheme available to people with disabilities and their families. It provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase of specially adapted vehicles, exemptions from motor tax and toll fees and eligibility for a fuel grant. These are all incredibly valuable provisions for people with disabilities and their families. Our issues relate to eligibility for the scheme rather than what it offers. The requirement to satisfy the overly stringent medical criteria associated with qualifying for a primary medical certificate, including the need to prove that a person is completely or almost completely without the use of both legs or hands, is exclusionist. Persons with disabilities, as defined under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, include those who have long-term mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. The excessively restrictive criteria exclude this group from the scheme. Eligibility for the scheme should focus less on people's medical conditions and more on how they function in society. We call for eligibility for the scheme to be extended to include those with non-physical disabilities.

I will now hand over to Mr. Damien Douglas, who is a family carer for his two daughters.