Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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114. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date on the replacement schemes for the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant which was discontinued in February 2013; the options that are being considered, together with a clear timeframe as to when the matter will be decided upon, and when the replacement will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. 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 cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. These proposals seek to ensure that:

-There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;

-There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;

-Resources are targeted at those with the greatest needs;

-The Scheme is capable of being costed and it is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

Payments of up to €208.50 per month are continuing to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, in February 2013. Any proposals put to Government will seek to take account of this group.

Heads of Bill have now been developed in draft form and are currently subject to detailed legal examination. The approval of a General Scheme and Heads of Bill by the Government will be followed by publication and pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee. The Health (Transport Support) Bill is included in the Government Legislation Programme.