Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person who was unaware of an entitlement under mobility allowance can apply for its application retrospectively; and the circumstances in which such a retrospective claim can be made. [43020/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Ombudsman has previously emphasised the principle that the Health Service Executive has a duty, where it is professionally involved in the assessment and management of people with a disability, to impart information, in good time, about allowances for people with a disability.

Accordingly, persons who were unaware of the existence of the Mobility Allowance and who may have satisfied the medical criteria and means assessment for the Allowance can only be considered for retrospective payments if they had direct dealings with the Health Service Executive, usually through a Community Welfare Officer or a Public Health Nurse and were not informed of the existence of the Mobility Allowance.

The question of eligibility for the Mobility Allowance including retrospection is a matter for the Health Service Executive. The Deputy should refer the person in question to their local health office of the HSE where they can apply for the allowance or appeal a decision in relation to the allowance.