Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, outlined the dilemma facing the Department of Health with regard to these schemes. The Ombudsman found that neither scheme was compliant with the Equal Status Acts, but an extension of either scheme as recommended by her would create serious financial pressure on the health budget and would be unsustainable. The current budget is ¤10.6 million, but the cost of an extension of the mobility allowance could be as much as ¤100 million per annum, while the extension of the motorised transport grant would cost ¤200 million over a three-year period. The Government has decided that the Department of Health can no longer operate the scheme in circumstances in which the significant increase in funding necessary to broaden the eligibility criteria is unavailable. Therefore, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has established a project group to review and examine the issues and to recommend an appropriate solution within three months. The group is independently chaired and met for the first time on Thursday, 21 February. The Minister and Minister of State attended to outline the complexities of the issues. The group includes representatives of people with disabilities and others who can assist in designing a solution. Who better to have on the group? Broader consultation will be undertaken as part of the project group's work in order to ensure that as wide a range of opinions as possible are taken into account.

In seeking a solution that will address the transport and mobility needs of those who require supports, the Minister of State is concerned about the group of people who are currently benefiting under the schemes. Importantly, she must give equal consideration to the broader group of needs that the Ombudsman has recommended should be looked after on an equitable basis. The challenge is to find a solution that will best meet these needs within the available budget. The Department of Health has also met a number of representative organisations of people with disabilities and asked for their input into a solution that can be delivered on target. I am glad we have held this debate and I am sure we will debate the matter further at the joint committee.