John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 767: To ask the Minister for Health his views that applicants for the motorised transport grant and whose degree of disability qualifies for same should not be debarred on the basis of their so-called ability to avail of public transport when in rural areas there is no public transport available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20590/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The purpose of the Motorised Transport Grant is to support people with severe disability to retain employment.

Under the "Exceptional Circumstances" clause of the current circular governing the administration of the Motorised Transport Grant, eligibility for the grant may be considered for a person with a severe disability, for purposes other than employment retention, who lives in very isolated circumstances, where the extent of their disability would prevent them from using public transport. The physical capacity of the person to use public transport is deemed to be a measure of that severity. The availability or otherwise of public transport is not a qualifying criteria.