Government goes ahead with disability cuts

The Ombudsman says she’s disappointed at a government decision to cut mobility payments to 5-thousand disabled people, in response to a ruling from her office.
The Department of Health last night confirmed that it was axing the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant with immediate effect.
It’s prompted an angry reaction from disability support groups, but the government says it had no choice after the Ombudsman found the scheme was in breach of equality legislation, as it discriminated against the over 65s.
The Disability Federation of Ireland says the Mobility Allowance is means tested and is mostly paid to people who live on a disabillity allowance of under 190 Euro a week.
They’re warning that the effect of the cut could be isolation for people with disabilities.