Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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435. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the working group to publish proposals in respect of Government-funded transport and mobility schemes, including the disabled drivers and disabled passenger schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61989/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority for me as Minister of State with responsibility for disability. While a significant number of mobility and transport supports and services are provided by the State, it is clear that further progress is needed in this regard.

Important cross-Government action to review and consider proposals for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports has been advanced through the framework of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), and in particular in the context of Action 104 of the NDIS. The Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress in this regard.

I have chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group since January 2022. As part of its work, we have engaged in discussions on the improvement of transport and mobility supports with a view towards developing proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme was one of several schemes that the Transport Working Group considered.

The discussions at the Transport Working Group have been particularly enriched by the contributions of Disability Stakeholder Group representatives, and other disability organisations, who have ensured that the lived experience of people with disabilities remains at the centre of considerations.

The Group's work is now completed, and a final report containing proposals for the development of enhanced mobility and transport supports for people with disabilities is being finalised. The report is expected to be completed and published in Q1 2023.

It will be incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports, both currently and going forward, to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced following the completion of Action 104 and the conclusion of the NDIS itself in 2022.