Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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586. To ask the Minister for Health the financial assistance available by way of motorised transport grant or otherwise in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government, conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts closed both schemes to new entrants on 26th February 2013.

In December 2013, the Government 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.

The Revenue Commissioners operates the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers in Ireland. Under the terms of the scheme, qualifying individuals can claim remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax, repayment of value-added tax on the purchase of a vehicle and repayment of VAT on the cost of adapting a vehicle for a disabled driver or a disabled passenger. Details of this scheme and qualifying criteria are available on and .