Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I accept that the Department and medical officers must apply the criteria, but, for the reasons outlined, many others and I believe they are too rigid. For example, they do not allow for people with serious spinal injuries or who are in pain and suffering. The mobility and related issues of such persons are not being recognised. I have no problem in saying this seems to be a budgetary rather than a mobility and health issue. The scheme was designed to improve the mobility of people with serious disabilities. While the criteria allow for that to happen in many cases, they exclude many others. I have used a live example of a person with a degenerative disease and a spinal condition. There is a fear within the Civil Service that the floodgates would be opened if the scheme was to be expanded further, but the Minister of State knows as well as I that there are people with serious disabilities who should qualify for such supports but who, unfortunately, do not under the current regime. I will continue to work on this matter and ask for the support of the Minister of State and other colleagues in having the scheme reviewed at some stage to take into account the real needs of disabled people.