Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the upper age limit being removed from the motorised transport grant, she will remove the upper age limit for the mobility allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34557/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Mobility Allowance is payable by the Health Service Executive (HSE), subject to a means test, to persons with a severe disability. The allowance provides financial support to eligible people who are unable to walk or use public transport and is intended to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings, for example by financing the occasional taxi journey. Applicants must be 16 years or older or under 66 years.

At present the Mobility Allowance can be retained by those over 66 who were granted the allowance before exceeding the upper age threshold, providing they continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.

An overall review of the Mobility Allowance, including the issue of eligibility, will take place within the wider context of the transfer of income support and maintenance schemes together with associated resources to the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA). This work is being progressed, on foot of a Government decision in February 2006, by an Inter Departmental Implementation Group, under the Chairmanship of the Department of Health and Children, with representation from the DSFA and the HSE. Detailed arrangements are already in place for example to transfer the Domiciliary Care Allowance and Blind Welfare Allowance to the DSFA in 2009.

It is expected that a review of the Mobility Allowance will take place following the successful transfer of the above mentioned allowances.