Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I have been of the view for quite some time, having examined individual cases, that a tax-based scheme based on the existing criteria for the primary medical certificate is not the way forward. I will continue to operate the existing scheme. We have made one significant improvement. We will get the appeals board back up and running and I will lend my full support to getting a new scheme, which will be a grant-based scheme based on the needs of individuals, in place. It will involve defining the criteria, which is complex and difficult, but it will need to be done.

I am very much aware of the report on the cost of disability. The Government responded last year, albeit in the form of a once-off payment of an additional €500 to people in receipt of disability allowance, for example. In the lead-up to the budget, we will consider what we can do to provide assistance to people with a disability.

As regards the question in respect of the Cabinet, the Taoiseach gave a commitment last week on the floor of the Dáil. He will be convening a meeting of the relevant Departments to put in place a process that will quickly lead to a fit-for-purpose modern scheme being developed and I will provide my full support to that process.

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