Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of raising the lowest rate of social welfare by €35.50 per week. [37323/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of increasing the non-contributory state pension by €34.80 per week. [37324/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of increasing child benefit by €10 per month. [37325/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, together.

The cost of increasing the lowest rate of social welfare payment (€165.80) by €35.50 per week is estimated as €835 million in a full year. The cost of increasing all payments made to those under 66 years of age, and not just those on the lowest rate of payment, by €35.50 per week, is estimated as €1,081million in a full year.

The cost of increasing the state pension (non-contributory) by €34.80 per week is estimated as €182 million in a full year. The cost of increasing child benefit by €10 per month (for both the lower and higher rates) is estimated as €139 million in a full year.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to introduce a subsidy or other form of assistance to improve the affordability of taxis for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Access to transport is an important issue for people with disabilities in participating more fully in society in general as well as facilitating access to employment opportunities. My Department does not provide direct assistance towards private taxi travel but administers the Free Travel scheme allowing eligible persons, including certain people with disabilities, to use public transport and a large number of private bus and ferry services free of charge. In this regard, I have recently lifted the restrictions which had applied to peak time travel for holders of Free Travel passes so there is now no limit placed on the amount of free travel eligible people may take.

The Health Service Executive, currently administers the Mobility Allowance, which provides financial assistance to eligible people who are unable to walk or use public transport. This allowance is paid at a rate of €173 per month unless the person is also availing of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers scheme which provides tax relief linked to the purchase and use of vehicles, in which case it is paid at the lower rate of €86.50 per month.

In line with a recent Government decision, the Mobility Allowance, together with other income maintenance functions currently administered by the Health Services Executive, will be transferred to my Department and an inter-departmental group has been established to oversee this transfer. This will provide an opportunity to examine schemes which provide financial assistance towards transport in a more integrated way and to identify the scope for further improvements, as resources permit.