Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if the full review of all motorised transport grant applications in County Donegal has been completed as recommended by the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4624/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Ombudsman recommended that the Department should revise the definition of disability in the circular governing the Motorised Transport Grant having regard to the broad definition of disability set out in the Equal Status Acts. In addition she requested, among other things, the HSE to review applications previously made in Donegal having regard to the broad definition of disability in the Equal Status Acts. This recommendation is dependent on the Department amending the eligibility criteria for the Motorised Transport Grant to include a broad definition of disability as outlined in the Equal Status Acts.

The Minister is not in a position to amend the circular relating to the Motorised Transport Grant as recommended in the Ombudsman's report. Expansion of the definition of disability would impose serious financial constraints on the Department, the HSE and the State generally. The recommendations, if implemented as outlined, would create liabilities that the State could not afford. In this context the HSE cannot review other applications in Donegal as the eligibility criteria for the grant has not changed. However, the Minister does accept that significant issues have been raised by the Ombudsman in relation to the Motorised Transport Grant and is considering them carefully.