Dáil debates

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Topical Issue Debate

Mobility Allowance Review

12:50 pm

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity to raise an issue that is of serious concern to more than 5,000 people across the country who live with reduced mobility. Citizens with reduced mobility were dealt a devastating blow on 26 February 2013, when it was announced by the Department of Health that two vital lifelines, the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant, were to be discontinued and closed to new applicants. To add further insult to those affected, no reasonable or realistic alternative to the scheme was put forward by the Department; nor was any guidance offered to those people who, 17 months later, are still struggling to deal with what was a unilateral and life-changing decision by the Government.

On 11 June last year, the Department of Health stated that the mobility allowance would continue to be paid to those already in receipt of it until the scheme was replaced. Later that month, it was announced that an interdepartmental group was to report to the Government on the establishment and operation of a new scheme by the end of October 2013. Now, almost a year and a half since the closure of these schemes and without any recent update on the long overdue interdepartmental group report, this distressing issue is still no closer to a resolution, and people with mobility challenges remain completely in the dark.

At the time of the cessation announcement by the Department of Health, over 5,000 people nationally were adversely affected by the closure of the schemes. A total of 487 people in Tipperary were in receipt of mobility allowance, while 33 others received the motorised transport grant. These precious schemes accounted on average for 20% of the total income of the recipients. Essentially, these payments are vital to recipients and their closure has had a dual negative impact. First, untold worry and stress continues to be visited upon those who rely on the mobility allowance. Recipients simply do not know what the future holds or what supports, if any, they will receive in the future. Second, no new applications for assistance can be made to the scheme, leaving hundreds of people with reduced mobility isolated and excluded from wider society.

A person with a physical disability simply cannot live life without the comfort and security of financial and practical supports, without the support of the State and its agencies and without up-to-date information as to the availability, quantity and quality of assistance. Access to a car or other appropriate and affordable mode of transport is an essential component in the life of a person with a severe physical disability. For such an individual, getting out of the house, going to town, attending a medical appointment or simply meeting up with family or friends can be a major logistical challenge.

The removal of these meagre but invaluable payments has been a shameful and reprehensible act and a move I believe to be nothing short of a travesty. The Government has had over three years to formulate an alternative to the mobility allowance, yet nothing has been done. We were advised by the Taoiseach that over €10 million was being ring-fenced for a new mobility scheme to replace those that had been deemed illegal. It is now clear that those affected by this disgraceful lack of action have been cast aside and forgotten by those in positions of power. Promises made at the last general election to retain vital mobility assistance for people affected by disability were empty and meaningless. There has been no forward thinking, no planning and a deplorable lack of respect for those people whose lives have been crushed by this short-sighted decision. The Government must stop procrastinating on this issue and put forward a fully reasoned, logical and fair alternative. No further delays can be tolerated on the issue. The Government must establish a permanent alternative to these disbanded lifelines with immediate effect.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I regret the rather pejorative tone of the Deputy's speech and, of course, much of it is inaccurate. However, I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the current position in regard to a new transport support scheme for people who face significant challenges in addressing their transport needs arising from mobility issues. As Members of the House will be aware, in 2012 the then Ombudsman recommended that both the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant be revised to make them compliant with the Equal Status Acts. The Ombudsman made particular reference to the definition of disability and the age cohort eligible to apply for support.

The mobility allowance was never designed or intended to cover the entire costs of an individual's transport needs. This administrative scheme was designed to help eligible people to benefit from a change in surroundings from time to time - for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey or transport to a hospital. It is important to emphasise that the Government accepts the position taken by the Ombudsman and acknowledges that schemes under the auspices of my Department must comply with the Equal Status Acts. However, the Ombudsman's recommendations raised significant issues of a legal, financial and practical nature, particularly as regards extending eligibility to a wider cohort.

In February 2013, the Government decided to close both schemes. At that time, the mobility allowance scheme involved some 4,700 recipients at an annual cost of €9.3 million. The Government has committed to continued payment to these recipients pending the establishment of a new scheme. Therefore, the HSE has continued to pay these 4,700 individuals at the applicable rate in each case.

Since the schemes were closed, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken. A review group on transport supports for people with disabilities was established, which involved a range of representatives of people with disabilities, which I very much welcomed, and relevant Departments and agencies. There needs to be and has in more recent times been greater involvement of the clients of these services in their planning. The Government established an interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach to further consider the complex issues involved in developing an appropriate scheme, including how it should be administered.

In November 2013 the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required on a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers, as required. In line with the Government's decision, my Department is working to develop policy proposals for a new scheme. When we have progressed these proposals, in conjunction with other Departments, as necessary, to the point where we are satisfied that they represent workable and appropriate solutions, proposals for legislation will be brought to the Government. Subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny process for draft heads of a Bill, work will take place on the formal drafting of a Bill for publication, debate and enactment.

The Government's objective is to develop an affordable solution which will contribute towards meeting the transport or mobility needs of those who most need transport services. Issues to be considered include people's ability to access and use public transport, the extent to which individual means might be taken into account and the cost implications of different options for a revised scheme. This is a challenging task, given that the issues involved are complex and that there are serious cost pressures on the health system. We will continue the work of developing an alternative to the schemes which have been closed with a view to meeting people's needs in the most appropriate way.

1:00 pm

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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My mood and tone are a mild reflection of the disillusionment and anger felt by those affected by the inaction of the Government on this scheme. I urge the Minister to stand over the repeated promises and guarantees made on this matter and to be cognisant of the importance of the scheme for those who simply cannot avail of public transport. I am asking him to give a categoric guarantee that a replacement scheme will be put in place without further delay and provide a timeline. This issue has been dragging on for approximately 18 months. The commitments have been given but not honoured and I am told today that the matter will again be kicked to touch. I, therefore, ask the Minister to give us a timeline for the introduction of the new scheme.

The form of the new scheme is also very important. Any new scheme must be in the form of a personal payment to the individual. A group transport scheme will not be sufficient to meet the variety of needs of those who previously received grants. I ask the Minister to consider the fact that, with each day that passes, unfortunately, more and more people are left challenged by reduced mobility as a result of accident or by birth. It is unacceptable that we are leaving them with no supports during a very difficult period in their lives.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I have outlined the background, the work being undertaken and the current position in replacing the mobility allowance and reiterate my point on the challenge of developing a new individual cash payment scheme on a statutory basis with a limited budget while continuing to cater for the 4,700 people already in receipt of a monthly payment with aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who acquire additional income and satisfying all legal and equality concerns. That work continues in order that they will not be disadvantaged.

I must point out to the Deputy that this was a legal issue before the Government came to power. The Government the Deputy supported presided over it. There was also a lack of action on the issue of symphysiotomy, for those excluded from the Neary redress scheme and in the case of the Magdalen laundries and many other things. Like all Deputies, I have grave concerns regarding all those who suffer from a disability and have issues with transport. The Government is working hard to address yet another issue left behind by the Government supported by the Deputy and which wrecked the country.