Social Welfare Schemes
Dail Éireann — 2023-10-24
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Heather Humphreys (FG), Cavan-Monaghan

I did a lot of work with Epilepsy Ireland, because this is probably the best example in this regard. People who have epilepsy are put off the road and cannot drive. I engaged, therefore, with Epilepsy Ireland on this issue and have been doing so for some time. I met representatives of the organisation several times. I know people who have epilepsy and it is not easy for them because they just cannot get to work as they cannot drive. If they could get access to transport, then they would be in a much better position. They would be able to have the flexibility that comes with this access to transport.
If someone loses his or her licence due to a seizure, that is awful. What I want to do in this regard is to extend the free travel pass to those deemed medically unfit to drive. This will not only benefit those with epilepsy but also anybody with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from driving. If someone is put off the road because of epilepsy, it is obvious that is it. There are other cases where people have other conditions which mean they also cannot drive. It will be up to the medics to certify that people in this situation are unfit to drive for one year or more. It will be necessary for people to be off the road for one year or more. They can then have their medical assessment with their GP.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2023-10-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:19+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-10-24