The independence, mental health and employment prospects of disabled people is being limited, and in some cases completely erased
Almost 10 years after the closure of two vital mobility schemes, the State is continuing to fail disabled people, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns.
Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on Disability, said:
“In 2013, the Government discontinued the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant after the then Ombudsman found the schemes to be in breach of the Equal Status Act. This was because those over the age of 65 were not entitled to apply for either payment.
“However, rather than simply widen eligibility criteria, the Government axed both payments. Disabled people and their families have now been waiting almost 10 years for replacement schemes.
“The Government has also created a deeply unfair situation whereby those who were already in receipt of the supports continue to receive them, but others in exactly the same position cannot access these or alternative schemes.
“The Government’s own Cost of Disability Report found that it costs between €9,500 and €11,700 more every year to live with a disability in Ireland. Mobility, transport and communications represent almost one-quarter of this extra expense. People who are blind or have a serious vision impairment have to pay €737 extra; for individuals with mobility difficulties it is €500; and for chronic illnesses it is between €600 and €735.
“The independence, mental health and employment prospects of disabled people is being limited, and in some cases completely erased, by the failure of successive governments to replace these vital transport schemes. The delay is inexcusable.
“The Ombudsman’s report on this situation, released in November 2021, was unequivocal in condemning the lack of action. He wrote: ‘Nine years later, there is no evidence of any real progress that would serve to enhance the lives of those for whom these schemes were intended to assist with their daily lives. This is of huge concern to me.’
“Disabled people deserve better than two defunct schemes and a third – the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme – that is so excessively restrictive it is impossible to access.
“After nearly a decade of delay, the Government must now tell us when these schemes will be replaced.”
October 24, 2022