Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

515. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a new scheme for the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance schemes; when these schemes will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52849/13]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

533. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department will replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant with a new scheme to assist persons with disabilities [52974/13]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

545. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; if the interdepartmental group has reported; if not, when the report is due; the timeline for the introduction of the proposed statutory schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53100/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 515, 533 and 545 together.

The Government has decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions will be progressed as a priority by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers.

Payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to current recipients of the Mobility Allowance for a further period, pending decisions on the new statutory scheme.

The Government is aware of the needs of people with a disability relying on individual payments which contribute to choice and independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on the detail of the new scheme.

The existing position regarding Motorised Transport Grant remains as before i.e. the scheme remains closed. This matter will be considered further at a later date.