Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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138. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has reviewed policies in relation to assisting persons with restricted mobility to get access to support with their travel needs; and if there are initiatives which she or the agencies under her remit are considering to improve the situation. [25111/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The recently published Indecon report highlighted that the ‘Cost of Disability’ is significantly wider than the income support system.

Additional costs of disability identified run across a number of areas of expenditure including: housing, equipment, aids and appliances, medicines, care and assistance services, additional living expenses and the area of mobility, transport and communications.

As the findings of the research have implications for many areas of public policy, a whole-of-Government perspective is needed. As such the Government has referred the report on the Cost of Disability to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. All Departments have been asked to consider actions that are currently being implemented and any proposed new actions that they will be undertaking in the context of the findings of the Report.

Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, my colleague the Minister of State for Disabilities has reconvened a transport working group. The purpose of this inter departmental group is to address challenges and to break down barriers to independent living and equal participation in society. The group willexamine the provision of transport and mobility schemes across government.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.