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

As the Deputy said, the working group reported back in February and reached the conclusion that the existing scheme is outdated. It needs to be replaced with a needs-based, grant-based scheme. Last week in the House, in responding to the report from the Ombudsman, the Taoiseach gave a commitment to convene a meeting of all the relevant Departments to work now on an solution urgently. I expect that meeting will happen very shortly. My own officials stand ready to assist in any way we can. At the moment we have a tax-based scheme. The primary medical certificate terminology and criteria are out of date. That is generally accepted. The change I made this week will provide extra support to a very small number of people who need substantial adaptations carried out, generally abroad. It is not the full answer; I would readily acknowledge that. I am focused on getting the appeals board back up and running and on ensuring that we continue to administer the tax scheme while at the same time supporting the work of the Taoiseach and other Departments to put in place a new, appropriate, fit-for-purpose grant scheme. We will do all we can to help in that process.

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