No sign of scheme for mobility allowance in 2017
Labour Party General Election candidate for Dublin Bay North, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has criticised Minister Finian McGrath on delays to establishing a new mobility scheme to assist those with a disability in meeting their increased mobility costs.
Senator Ó Ríordáin said:
“Despite answering Parliamentary Questions saying that a new mobility scheme will be up and running this year, Minister Finian McGrath has failed to ensure that a scheme will be in place this year.
“Speaking in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach confirmed to my colleague Deputy Brendan Howlin that there is no budget allocation for such a scheme this year and legislation is not expected to reach the Dáil for a new mobility allowance until the end of 2018.
“Four years have now passed since the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Schemes closed, following concerns over their legality from the Ombudsman. As a result, thousands of people with disabilities cannot get supports to assist them with their mobility needs. This obviously undermines Minister McGrath’s strategies for increasing the numbers of people with disabilities in employment.
“Only last week Minister McGrath confirmed through Parliamentary Question that the Health (Transport Support) Bill will be dealt with in 2017, it is clear through comments from the Taoiseach today that Minster McGrath has failed to ensure that measures to establish a new mobility allowance are in place this year.”