Ombudsman raises disability payment concerns with Minister Reilly

An Oireachtas Committee has asked the Health Minister James Reilly to respond to concerns raised by the Ombudsman over recommendations she made regarding certain disability payments.

Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly appeared before the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions earlier, where she explained that both the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant breach the provisions of the Equal Status Acts.

The mobility allowance is capped at the age of 66, a provision Ms O'Reilly said was discriminatory.

The Department of Health agreed in April of last year to correct this but has so far failed to do so.