Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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832. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to publish the review into the mobility allowance; when an alternative scheme will be announced to replace this scheme; if those who are currently eligible will transfer to any such new scheme and remain on their current or increased rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61937/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Mobility Allowance was for people who were unable to walk.

The purpose of the Allowance was to enable eligible people 'to benefit from a change in surroundings - for example by financing the occasional taxi journey.' The Scheme was introduced in 1979, prior to the availability of accessible public transport.

The Allowance was a means tested unvouched monthly payment to individuals up to a maximum of €208.50. It was payable by HSE.

The latest Data from September 2025 shows there were 2,707 recipients with 1,327 receiving the full rate of Mobility allowance.

The Scheme has been closed to new applicants since 2013. This was a Government decision on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of the Scheme.

Those who were in receipt of the Allowance at the time that the Scheme closed in 2013 continue to receive payments where the continue to be eligible.

This Department has recently published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which is a framework for collaborative whole-of-government action on disability policy, including transport and mobility. The final report can be found on gov.ie:www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/the-national-human-rights-strategy-for-disabled-people-2025-2030/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22939107536&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIioOi2eHpkAMVfptQBh2wWB6YEAAYASAAEgKbmvD_BwE.

It is unclear to what review the Deputy refers. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Action 104 Transport Working Group Final Report considers the various transport and mobility schemes and is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/national-disability-inclusion-strategy-action-104-transport-working-group-final-report-2/.

The strategy includes commitments and key actions supporting transport and personal mobility generally, which will inform the future development of schemes in this regard.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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833. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the means test for the mobility allowance has been reviewed to account for increases in the State pension (contributory); if she will consider amending the means test threshold from the State pension (non-contributory) to the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61938/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant were put in place in 1979 and 1968 respectively, for operation by the Health Service Executive at a time when there was limited availability of accessible public transport.

The Government decided to close these administrative schemes in 2013 to new applicants, on foot of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. In 2013, the Government decided to continue payment of the monthly Mobility Allowance on an interim basis, to those who were in receipt of the allowance at the time that the Scheme closed. The latest Data from September 2025 shows there were 2,707 recipients with 1,327 receiving the full rate of Mobility allowance.

Following a comprehensive public consultation process, the Department has recently updated the National Disability Strategy, which is a framework for collaborative whole-of-government action on disability policy, including transport and mobility. The final National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 can be found on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/the-national-human-rights-strategy-for-disabled-people-2025-2030/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22939107536&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIioOi2eHpkAMVfptQBh2wWB6YEAAYASAAEgKbmvD_BwE.

Transport and Mobility constitutes one of the core five pillars. Priority actions under this pillar include a review of the current Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, which offers various tax reliefs for people who use specially constructed or adapted vehicles. This review is being undertaken by the Department of Finance and in the context of the development of a new vehicle adaptation scheme under development at the Department of Transport.

Officials in the Department are currently looking at the parameters of the Mobility allowance scheme in the context of these wider reforms.