Rehabilitative training allowance
Deputy Eamon Scanlon objected to the planned abolition of the rehabilitative training allowance for young people with disabilities. The Taoiseach said he was not aware of the change and would check it.
I raise with the Taoiseach the rehabilitative training allowance which I have learned is to be abolished. It is a training allowance for young students with a disability that is worth €31.80 per week for a maximum of four years. I acknowledge that the HSE is struggling with a deficit, but this is nothing short of scandalous. Rehabilitative training is essential for young people with disabilities in developing independence and the payment is much-needed by the most vulnerable group in society. It is a job to go to every day for them. It is a disgraceful decision. I ask the Taoiseach, as the leader of the Government, to have it reversed straightaway. We are talking about €2 million out of a budget of €17 billion for the HSE.
