Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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402. To ask the Minister for Health if persons who previously qualified for the motor transport grant prior to its discontinuation will be considered retrospectively for vehicles purchased during the time between its discontinuation and the announcement of the replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/14]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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403. To ask the Minister for Health if a replacement for the motorised transport grant has reached finalisation; when it is expected to be open to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36865/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 403 together.

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26 February 2013. The Government subsequently decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Decisions in relation to eligibility criteria have yet to be made in relation to any potential new scheme.