Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for Health and the Ministers of State at his Department on a number of issues, including the home help scheme, the carer's allowance, the respite grant and the mobility allowance. These are schemes and resources provided to the elderly and those with disabilities. We have scarce resources, as we all know, so we need to ensure that the people most in need receive most support. The aforementioned grants and allowances must be targeted at the most needy and deserving. I welcome the Government's announcement that it will continue to pay the mobility allowance until October. I also note that the Ombudsman gave a cautious welcome to that decision. However, in advance of the inter-departmental review that is taking place, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, we should have an input into the mobility allowance and motorised transport schemes. Members of this House would have good contributions to make which could help to ensure that the schemes are targeted in a way that is most effective and benefits those who require assistance most. We must move away from the situation where the State was in breach of equality legislation, as highlighted by the Ombudsman.