Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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335. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of the scheme that is to replace the former mobility grant for persons with physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54788/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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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.