Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is nearly 40 years since a very young, hard-working Minister for Finance worked diligently on introducing a scheme for disabled drivers and passengers. How outdated that scheme is now. It was very welcome at the time. The scheme is very rigid in respect of who can qualify for it. For example, a completely blind person cannot qualify to be a disabled passenger. How outrageous is that? As far as this State is concerned, a person registered as blind and who cannot see anything is not entitled to be a disabled passenger in a supported car because he or she does not qualify or tick the box. Disabled persons who want to apply to be a disabled driver or passenger cannot do so. They are being told the board has resigned, with resulting complications. The board did not resign for the fun of it but because they knew the system they were in charge of was not fit for purpose as it was leaving too many people behind. The people being left behind are people with mobility problems. I ask that a board be constituted immediately, that we start accepting application forms immediately and that mechanisms such as the disabled driver's scheme and transport mobility grant be used. All mechanisms that give people mobility are so important.

I thank the taxi drivers and hackney operators in County Kerry who are disability friendly and who work to carry people around. I thank the advocacy groups in County Kerry that help people with disabilities and mobility problems. I thank the people who fundraise, but who should not have to, for people with mobility problems in County Kerry. To think that a disabled person has to give notice before travelling in rural Ireland is a disgrace.

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