Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Health

Motorised Transport Grant Closure

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide a replacement scheme for the motorised transport grant; when this will be available; the assistance his Department will provide to persons in the short term who require such conversions carried out to vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36712/16]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013. The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments which support choice and independence. In that regard, monthly payments of €208.50 have continued 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.

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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Programme for Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals in this regard is at an advanced stage and I anticipate that this will be brought to Government shortly.

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 greatest needs; and the Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.

As for other supports provided for transport for people with disabilities, the Revenue Commissioners operate a tax relief scheme for the purchase of adapted vehicles for drivers and passengers with disabilities. This scheme, which falls under the remit of the Minister for Finance, provides relief from Value Added Tax and Vehicle Registration Tax up to a certain limit, on the purchase of an adapted care for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. It provides for payment of a fuel grant, an exemption from motor tax and an exemption from toll bridge charges. Further details regarding this scheme are available at www.revenue.ie.

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