Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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401. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the findings of the interdepartmental group on the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; the timeframe in place for this group's recommendations; if those persons who had their allowance cut in 2013 will now have the opportunity to reapply for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3817/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Inter-Departmental Group considered matters such as eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements for individual payments to people with severe disabilities who require additional income to address the cost of their mobility needs. The Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme 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. Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.

Pending decisions on a new scheme, monthly payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the scheme closed. The Motorised Transport Grant is closed.