Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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355. To ask the Minister for Health when the replacement to the mobility transport grant is likely to be delivered, with particular reference to the fact that this has been suspended now for a period of two years and has led to enormous isolation among those who would have traditionally benefited from it. [39758/15]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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374. To ask the Minister for Health when the motorised transport grant replacement will be in place; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39095/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 374 and 411 together.

Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of both 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 schemes are not suspended. They are closed.

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.

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. Any proposals put to Government will seek to take account of this group.

Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The 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; and

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

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.