Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I fully appreciate what they are saying. They make a good case and I understand it. I intend to meet with Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail. The group wrote to me about much of what the Deputies are saying. I am not going to make any promises because it would be wrong of me to do that but I will meet Epilepsy Ireland and hear what it has to say. We need to discuss this with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his Department to get its views on the matter. I am also going to ask my officials to examine it. The Deputies have made the case that this is only a small number of people. However, the social welfare scheme is based on income that is means-tested or contributions. Those are the two prongs with which the social welfare scheme works. The Deputies are talking about going outside that and looking at a medical condition. I am happy to look at it because, as I said, the Deputies have made the case. I thank them for raising it. I will talk to Epilepsy Ireland.

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