Mattie McGrath raised concerns in the Dáil about mobility supports after a visit from the Clarnmel Wheelchair Association. He urged that the mobility allowance - cut back 10 or 11 years ago - be reinstated and highlighted transport and access problems for wheelchair users.
Group visit to the Dáil
The visitors included the Clarnmel Wheelchair Association, a volunteer driver Philip Meaney and a group of people, some of whom use wheelchairs. McGrath thanked staff and ushers for assistance and noted one woman drives her daughter from County Waterford five days a week to Clarnmel.
Calls to reinstate the mobility allowance
McGrath said the mobility allowance was cut back 10 or 11 years ago and said it had "gone off the agenda" and was supposed to be replaced. He argued the mobility allowance - or some form of it - certainly should be reinstated to help people live their lives independently.
Transport and access barriers
He highlighted practical access issues - that buses often must be booked a day in advance and that a free travel pass is of limited use if people cannot board buses spontaneously. McGrath stressed these limits reduce the liberties that others take for granted.
Government response and funding
The Taoiseach acknowledged the visitors, thanked the Irish Wheelchair Association and said he would like to say hello to the Tipperary Spina Vifida delegation if he could. The Taoiseach also said the minister had allocated money for a new bus to the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonmel, which he said would be welcomed.
Ombudsman involvement and next steps
The Taoiseach accepted that work to replace the mobility allowance has taken a long time and referenced the Ombudsman. He said he had written to the Ombudsman recently and expected final proposals to Government very shortly.
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Today there's a group up from the Clarnmel Wheelchair Association with a volunteer driver Philip Meaney and a group of people, some wheelchair users, and I want to thank the staff and the ushers for being so helpful, as always, but especially helpful to these people in the wheelchairs. Taoiseach, the mobility allowance was cut back 10 or 11 years ago now, they went off the agenda, and were supposed to be replaced, so they have huge issues, mobility, you know, trying to get transport, and there's one woman there driving her daughter to Clarnmel, five years a week from actually County Waterford, but the access to transport is vital to these people, and it's no point having free travel pass if you can't get the buses, even the buses there, and you have to book them a day in advance, so they don't have the liberties that we have, that you can walk on a bus or whatever, so the mobility allowance certainly should be, or some form should be reinstated, and indeed other mobility issues as well, it's very, very important for these people to be able to live their life, and they're enjoying their day here today, and they've asked you to meet them, if you have a minute, but I understand if you haven't, but they are from all over the country, different groups, lobbying on this issue, and they need all the support they can get. Thank you, Deputy. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks very much. I know, in fairness to Deputy McGrath, he was good enough to send me a note today to say the Tipperary Spina Vifida are in the Dáil, and I'd love to get a chance to say hello if I can. I've been here for quite a while yet, but I wish them well and thank them for being here along with the Irish Wheelchair Association. Two things, I understand that the Minister Rabbit just allocated some money to the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonmel for a new bus, I believe, and no doubt that will be welcomed, and I'm pleased the Government was in a position to support that. You are right in relation to the mobility allowance piece and the need to replace it. A lot of work hasn't been done, I accept it's gone on a long time. People will remember the history of this in terms of the Ombudsman. I would have written to the Ombudsman in the last couple of weeks on this, and I'm expecting there will be final proposals very, very shortly to Government on this. Thank you. Thank you.
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