Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the long awaited scheme to replace the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance scheme; the details of the scheme; when he intends this to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/15]

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. 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.