Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In a report published today, the Ombudsman for public services has criticised what he called a shameful lack of support for drivers with disabilities. These schemes are a lifeline for people with disabilities, ensuring they can live dignified and independent lives as they travel to work or college and go about their lives. However, as the Taoiseach will be aware, the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant were scrapped in 2013 as part of austerity policies during the financial crash. Since then the Government has failed to put in place alternative supports. For a decade, people who need these schemes have been abandoned. When my colleague, Deputy Doherty, raised this issue in February 2022, the Taoiseach stated that a solution was being worked on. Those were his words. What does that mean? What is the solution? Where is it and what supports will the Government deliver so people with disabilities get the assistance they are entitled to?

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