THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced this evening that it is to axe the Mobility Allowance and Transport Grant, and intends to devise an alternative scheme to meet people’s needs.
The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) said they were “shocked” by the decision.
The move was criticised by Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, who described it as “another sorry episode in this saga”.
In a statement from the Department of Health, the Government said it “is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability who require transport supports from the State”.
4,700 people receive a Mobility Allowance and 300 people a year receive a Motorised Transport Grant. The Government is also conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
It said that following detailed consideration of issues surrounding the allowance and grant, it has today decided that:
it is no longer possible to allow the two schemes to continue as they presently operate and to devise an alternative scheme for meeting people’s needs.
A consultation review process with representatives of the people affected has commenced. The review group is being independently chaired by Sylda Langford, and will seek an alternative method for ensuring that the needs of persons affected can be provided for in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts.
It is important to note that the decision is in no way intended to save costs and the funding involved in the two schemes (€10.6 million) remains committed to meeting the transport needs of relevant people.
Today’s decision ends both schemes to new applicants with immediate effect. However, the payment of the Mobility Allowance to those who are currently in receipt will continue for another four months as the alternative method is being devised.
Sorry episode
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD described the decision as “another sorry episode in this saga.
The department has been knowingly operating these schemes illegally because they discriminate against people who are excluded from them on the basis of an upper age limit and too narrow qualification criteria.
He said that in the case of the Mobility Allowance, the upper age limit was found by the Ombudsman to be discriminatory in 2009.
Axing these schemes completely is no solution. While they will continue for four months more, they are to end at that point. Though a review is being put in place there is no certainty about what will emerge.
Ó Caoláin added “the strong suspicion is that this is an excuse for yet another cutback” and called on Health Minister James Reilly to “make himself accountable on this matter”.
The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) said they are shocked by the announcement.
John Dolan, CEO of DFI said:
The full rate of this means tested allowance, €208.50 per month, will be permanently discontinued in four months time. This is a savage reduction given that most of the people involvnewsed are in receipt of a weekly Disability Allowance of less than €190 per week.
Mr Dolan voiced concern regarding time frames for the review of the scheme, saying there is no completion time line for the work of the Special Review Group being set up or to have a new programme in place.
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