Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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318. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the considerable delay in implementing a replacement scheme for the discontinued mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44867/14]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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367. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the travel payment scheme which was a development of a travel scheme to assist persons (details supplied) who have to travel a long way to a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45232/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 367 together.

The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the costs of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance Scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013. In November 2013, the Government 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. The challenge is to provide these benefits to a wider cohort of people, while continuing to cater for the 4,700 people already in receipt of a monthly payment, within a limited budget.

Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the timeframe for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.