Mobility allowance replacement scheme
Brendan Howlin pressed for a long-promised replacement for the mobility allowance, criticising the delay and asking when it would be available. The Taoiseach said draft heads of a Bill were prepared and the Government still intended to legislate this year, but he could not say whether it would be before summer recess.
I do not think there is a Deputy in the House who does not have a number of queries in his or her constituency office about the mobility allowance and the replacement scheme that has been promised for some considerable time. I understand the complexity of the issue and the difficulty in drafting the replacement scheme but we have waited for it for an inordinate amount of time.
Comment on this
I do not believe this. It was Deputy Howlin who did away with it.
Comment on this
The Deputy cannot ignore the truth.
Comment on this
There was a difficulty following advice from the Attorney General regarding the legal framework that defined the existing mobility allowance. We need certainty now. The Government in which the Labour Party was involved promised that there would be a replacement scheme but it has taken time to work it out.
Comment on this
Why did the Deputy get rid of it?
Comment on this
The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, has prepared draft heads of a Bill to reinstate a transport support allowance but it has not yet gone through Cabinet. Once it does, he will engage with the all-party committee. We still intend to legislate this year.
Comment on this
Will it be this side of the summer recess?