Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In her response the Minister of State stated the Government had decided to devise an alternative solution or solutions. Has it taken it two years to make this judgment? She also stated, “A review group will seek an alternative method for ensuring the needs of persons affected can be provided for in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts.” She knew this was a issue before taking office. I do not understand why, two years after taking office, the Government has decided to cut off these grants for new applicants and tell those in receipt of them that they will cease in four months. Why does it not wait until the completion of the review before ending these schemes? Surely, that would be the reasonable approach to take. Why were the schemes neither extended nor replaced in the past two years?

I am a Deputy who represents a rural constituency that is ill-served by public transport. Many disabled people in counties Cavan and Monaghan cannot avail of free public transport because there is no public transport network in their areas. This is no exaggeration but a fact. There is no solace for them whatsoever with the shutting down of the schemes.

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