SteeringWheelWinter2022 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 7
STEERING Wheel
Calls on Government to introduce
new transport scheme
The Joint Committee on Disability Matters is dismayed with the lack of action
and delay by Government in introducing a fair and adequate personal transport
scheme for people with disabilities that supports their needs and allows them to live
independently and participate fully in all aspects of life as required by the UNCRPD.
Particularly, the Committee are concerned by the
lack of action by the Government in delivering an
alternative scheme, to the Mobility Allowance and
Motorised Transport Grant, as requested by the
Ombudsman in 2013.
The Committee believe there is a need for urgent
action from Ministers Donohoe, O’Gorman, Rabbitte
and Donnelly, and have written to the Ministers to
request that a commitment is shown for the rights of
people with disabilities and introduce a new transport
scheme for people with disabilities and their carers
that supports individuals better in relation to their
needs.
In this regard, the Committee support the
recommendations made by the Disabled Drivers
Association of Ireland and Family Carers Ireland and
at the Committees public meeting and on foot of
this have made the recommendations below to the
applicable Ministers. These recommendations must be
considered as part of the ongoing review;
1.
Do not remove the Disabled Drivers and Disabled
Passengers scheme without an appropriate and
alternative scheme in place and re-energise
the effort and communicate commitment to
providing a new scheme to people with disabilities
Government support, and alleviate their concerns
regarding removal of the current scheme.
2. Urgently introduce a new transport scheme
for people with disabilities and their carers that
ensures flexible arrangements, is an integrated
system whereby the support people receive is
better related to their needs, in compliance with
the Equal Status Acts and examine;
a. the Motability scheme in the UK and how
Ireland could introduce a similar scheme
including how a payment can be converted
to lease a vehicle under the scheme and
how this payment could be converted into a
capital amount if needed, alike the motorised
transport scheme.
b. how to incentivise disabled persons need to
adopt electric vehicles under a new scheme.
3. With regard to the Disabled Drivers and
Disabled Passengers scheme, the Committee
recommend that the Department of Finance and
the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,
Integration and Youth;
a. examine how to increase the eligibility for the
Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers
scheme to be extended to include those with
non-physical disabilities.
b. consider developing the assessment for the
Primary Medical Cert in line with the social
model of disability and based on a broader
spectrum of considerations rather than strict
narrow criteria. The assessment must be
followed by a recommendation with access
to a particular level of service where the
individual’s needs are being considered
c. ensure representatives on the Disabled Drivers
and Disabled Passengers scheme Board have
lived experience of disability and have the
skills to support the above.
4. Immediately include Family Carers Ireland on the
Transport Working Group for the new transport
scheme
5. Re introduce the payment of a cash allowance,
like the mobility allowance so that people with
disabilities and their families have flexibility and
a reliable door-to-door transport for urgent
appointments.
6. Existing schemes, such as Accessible Community
Transport Southside and Vantastic, should be fully
evaluated. If they are found to meet the needs
of people with a disability and their families, they
should be adequately funded. Consider how these
schemes could provide accessible transport to
day services, for example, and schools as well.
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