DISABILITY FEDERATION OF IRELAND WELCOMES NEW STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR MOBILITY ALLOWANCE, 11 June 2013 “DFI, on behalf of the thousands of people with disabilities and their families that were deeply affected by the decision to abolish the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant, is greatly relieved with the Government decision announced today that new statutory provisions will be put in place to provide individual payments to severely disabled people who require additional income to meet the costs of their mobility needs. We have a concern that the “severely disabled” criteria will restrict the scheme to many people who will genuinely need it.” “DFI is concerned that there was no announcement in relation to the related Motorised Transport Grant” scheme that was also abolished at the same time. This is a necessary and complementary scheme.” “As it has now been demonstrated that the MA scheme could have been put on a sound statutory basis there is an urgent need for a review of DOH decision making processes given that almost 5000 people had to face the prospect of losing this vital support and go through four months of worry and anxiety.” “DFI appreciates the commitment and resolve of officials in the Department of Health and in other Departments and public bodies who worked in a determined fashion to fashion a solution to this immediate problem” ends John Dolan, Chief Executive Officer, Disability Federation of Ireland
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:44:37 +0000