Mobility Cuts Will Lock People Into Homes - McGrath
Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath has told the Taoiseach that by scrapping the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport allowance that he is effectively “locking people in their homes”.
Speaking at Leaders Questions Deputy McGrath warned the Taoiseach that by refusing to reverse this draconian measure he will be driving some of the most vulnerable people in our society in to further isolation and that the cuts, which were announced unilaterally and without consultation, have shocked the Disability Community.
“This is the latest in a long and lamentable line of attacks on the disabled who have no one to represent them at Government talks”
Deputy McGrath put it to the Taoiseach that “there has not been an increase in the level of support to disabled drivers since 1987. We have seen 26 years pass and a number of recessions, booms and busts without an increase in what can be claimed back in VRT or VAT. It has been 26 years and now the Government goes after this”.
In an impassioned address, Deputy McGrath said that “this is no time to cower behind the troika, as he did last June, the Ombudsman, as he did this morning, and everybody else he likes to blame, including the last Government, which he blames for everything. It is time for the Taoiseach to stand up and be counted”
“These people need this transport not only to go to the shops, to mass and to dental appointments but also to go to the polls to vote. When they do so, they will pass a damning judgment on the Taoiseach and his Government who have sat idly by while the quality of life for the most vulnerable was targeted without compassion”.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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