Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question is on the health (transport support) Bill. In February 2013 the Government scrapped the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grants because they were not in compliance with the Equal Status Act and the Disability Act. That was done despite a recommendation by the Ombudsman that the schemes be widened. I remember it very well. The Ombudsman ruled they were discriminating because some people would not be given the grants. Instead of people being given those grants, the grants were stopped. The then Minister of State, former Deputy Kathleen Lynch, said it was because it cost too much. Other Deputies and I have raised this very often since then. A replacement scheme was promised but it has not been delivered. Those who are excluded are being caused much extra hardship. The health (transport support) Bill has been in the legislative programme for five years now. According to the current legislative programme, the Bill is now priority legislation for publication. However, a date for pre-legislative scrutiny is still to be determined. Does the Taoiseach have a date for the publication of the health (transport support) Bill?

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