Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Mahony for raising this matter on the Commencement and welcome the opportunity to outline the current position. I absolutely take on board and am aware of the case about which he spoke. As the Senator will already be aware, conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of both the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. I feel it is important to clarify that there are no plans to restore either of these schemes as they previously operated. However, the Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments which support choice and independence. In that regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to more than 4,700 people who were in receipt of the mobility allowance. Therefore, in the region of 4,700 people are receiving €208.50 per month.

The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new transport support scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Department of Health. I am pleased to inform the Senator that the programme for a partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new transport support scheme. Both the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, and I are committed to its progression as soon as possible. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly. In that regard, the Health (Transport Support) Bill is included in the Government’s legislative programme. The proposals will seek to ensure the following: that there is firm statutory basis to the scheme’s operation; that there is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the scheme; that resources are targeted at those with the greatest need; and that the scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable when introduced on an ongoing basis.

The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the costs of their mobility needs, while keeping within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns. The challenge is to develop a new scheme on a statutory basis, within a limited budget, targeted towards those with the greatest need. I can assure the Senator that the matter will be brought to the Government for consideration and decision as soon as possible. I look forward to what will be a valuable and constructive debate when the Bill comes before this House in due course.