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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Motorised transport grant abolition

Summary

Deputy Adams raised the abolition of the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance and said the promised health transport support Bill had been delayed for years. The Tánaiste said the matter was serious, was being examined by Ministers, and he would have to return with a more accurate timeline.

I wonder if the Tánaiste remembers when Deputy Enda Kenny was Taoiseach?

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I do.

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Deputy Adams was the leader of Sinn Féin.

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Which Minister wants to answer that question?

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Next question.

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I am afraid you can only ask one question, Deputy Adams.

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The Tánaiste's answer is the straightest I have got today. One could not deny the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny.

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Back in the glory days.

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I ask that question because it is related to the question I am going to put to the Tánaiste now, which is about the Government decision to abolish the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance. Following a rí rá, provision was made for those citizens with disabilities to have a temporary arrangement but no other citizens have had access to any transport scheme since then, including many citizens with disabilities from my constituency of Louth. The health (transport support) Bill has been on the Government's legislative programme for years. A memorandum was brought to Government on proposals for a new transport payment scheme but it was withdrawn. How much longer do we have to wait for this scheme? Will I have to come into this House at some point in the future and ask if Members remember when Deputy Leo Varadkar was Taoiseach? How much longer will citizens have to wait for this scheme?

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Will Deputy Adams be around that long?

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

Surely, Deputy Adams will not be around then.

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He may not be a Member of this House but he will be around.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

From memory, I recall a conversation at Cabinet on this issue.

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It is disgraceful.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

This is a serious issue. It is an issue that I know the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, are examining seriously. I will have to come back to the Deputy with a more accurate timeline. I do not want to give him a timeline off the cuff.

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