Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1129. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to review the motorised transport grant and tax relief for drivers and passengers with disabilities given that the criteria for both schemes are restrictive; if he will consider changing the eligibility criteria to be more inclusive of different disabilities where people still cannot drive without an adapted car; when this criteria was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11962/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.

Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward.

As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.

Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above. These considerations will continue in the context of the development of a new National Disability Strategy.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1130. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places that were available as of December 2023; and the number available to date in 2024, in tabular form. [11964/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, 58% of the total budget, and approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to 8,400 individuals throughout the country. The bulk of these are provided by the 50 highest funded agencies (comprising both Section 38 & Section 39 organisations).

It is important to note that residential capacity in the system can be reduced. When residents of congregated settings sadly pass away, their places are not ordinarily re-utilised. This is in keeping with Government policy which is to move away from institutionalised settings (i.e. Time to Move On from Congregate Settings).

I am informed by the HSE that by the end of December 2023, there were 8400 residential places for people with a disability.

Due to the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE, which has now been suspended, my Department is providing data from December 2023, which is the latest available data on the number of residential places for people with a disability. The HSE has indicated that figures for 2024 are being finalised and will be available in late March/early April.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps