Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my deepest condolences to Christy Dignam's family, friends, band mates and fans. Christy was an icon of Irish music and his huge talent and generous spirit will ensure he leaves a lasting legacy.

It is ten years since the then Fine Gael and Labour Party Government axed the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant after the schemes were found to be in breach of the Equal Status Act 2000. At the time the Government promised that replacement schemes would quickly be launched but a decade later those replacement schemes are nowhere to be seen. The only remaining transport scheme, the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, is also effectively closed to applicants. It is so incredibly restrictive that it is almost impossible to qualify for support.

Today the Ombudsman has again heavily criticised the Government for failing to provide adequate and appropriate transport supports to disabled people. He has called the failure "shameful" and said that transport supports for disabled people were better decades ago when the country was broke. When will the Taoiseach fulfil the promise that was made ten years ago and provide transport supports for disabled people in this country?

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