John Ellis (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will sanction a motorised transport grant for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [19295/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

John Ellis (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 209: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take with regards to the decision of the Health Service Executive to refuse motorised transport grants to persons over 65 years in view of the fact that they are in breach of the equality legislation. [19296/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The motorised transport grant was introduced in 1968 by way of circular 7/68. It is a grant which may be made payable by the Health Service Executive towards the purchase of a car and-or adaptations to a car being purchased by a person with a severe disability who is 17 years or older and up to 65 years of age, where such a car is essential for him or her to obtain or retain employment. Self-employed persons who satisfy the criteria for eligibility may also be considered, subject to the above age limits.

The grant may also be considered in exceptional circumstances for a person with a severe disability, subject to the above age limits, who lives in a very remote location and whose disability impedes him or her from using public transport.

My Department will examine the issue which the Deputy has raised regarding equality legislation. This grant, including criteria for eligibility, will also be considered as part of my Department's strategic review of services for people with disabilities.