Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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362. To ask the Minister for Health if a person in receipt of half-rate mobility allowance can have the rate increased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6805/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Mobility Allowance Scheme and Motorised Transport Grant, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. However monthly payments have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time that the scheme closed, in the interests of preventing hardship. The Department has instructed the HSE that the cohort of people currently in receipt of the monthly payment should continue to be paid by the HSE at their existing rate until further instruction issues from the Department of Health, on foot of any further decisions the Government may make.

The possession of a Primary Medical Certificate is a requirement for eligibility for the Revenue Commissioners' Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities scheme. Queries relating to the criteria for this scheme are matters for the Department of Finance.