Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Mahony for raising this matter, which I will be taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. I am pleased to provide an update to this House on progress on the health (transport support) Bill, since the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes in 2013. Senators will be aware of the background to the closure of the schemes. In summary, the Government decided to close the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant schemes in February 2013, following reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 which found that the schemes did not comply with the Equal Status Acts. A total of 300 people per annum were in receipt of the motorised transport grant when the Government closed the scheme. The Government has directed that the Health Service Executive, HSE, should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment to the now 3,790 individuals who were in receipt of the mobility allowance, pending the establishment of a new transport support scheme.

In line with the Government decision of November 2013, the Department of Health has been working to develop legislative proposals for a new transport support scheme. The programme for a partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new transport support scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. A general scheme and heads of Bill were completed in draft form and have been subject to detailed legal examination, given the complex legal issues which arose in the operation of previous arrangements. The legislative proposals for the scheme sought to ensure that there is a firm statutory basis to the scheme's operation, there is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the scheme, that resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs and the scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

In December 2016, this draft general scheme and heads of Bill were circulated to other Departments and were the subject of consultation between officials in the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform. The House will appreciate that it has been necessary to estimate both the numbers likely to qualify for payment and the likely overall cost of the proposals. In May 2018, the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, brought a memorandum to Government on proposals for a new transport support payment scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the memorandum from the Cabinet agenda at that time. The Ministers intend to revert to Government in due course with revised proposals. These proposals will reflect the discussions at Cabinet and further discussions between both Ministers on the best way to progress the transport scheme. It is important to note that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this scheme. Under the national disability inclusion strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with disabilities.