Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Much of this is now under threat from the Government owing to the lack of an overall strategy to implement a national disability strategy. The key point is that the language the Taoiseach is using and the language the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch used this morning and at the parliamentary committee three weeks ago is telling recipients of the allowance that they will not receive it after the next four months. There is talk about alternative means of transport, broadening the range of transport services and so forth. Up to 5,000 people are in receipt of €208 a month, which will permanently end in four months. There is no certainty after that date. In fact, the only certainty is that they will not receive the allowance again.

The Taoiseach suggests the sum of €10 million will be allocated across a range of transport initiatives. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has said there will be a whole-of-government approach. People are very wary of whole-of-government approaches. They were told the same thing about guidance counselling-----

See this speech in context