To ask the Minister for Social Development for his assessment of how changes to the welfare system are likely to impact on people currently eligible for the Mobility Scheme.

The Motability Scheme, whereby people who receive the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Allowance may exchange all or part of their allowance in return for a car, is administered by the independent charity Motability. My Department does not hold information on how many people, who receive the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance currently, choose to exchange all or part of their allowance in return for a car.

People who are entitled to the enhanced rate of the mobility component under Personal Independence Payment, which will replace Disability Living Allowance for working age people (16-64), will also be able to avail of this Scheme.

We will continue to work with Motability to ensure that they are aware of the introduction of Personal Independence Payment in Northern Ireland. Further detail on arrangements to support Motability customers who are impacted by the

introduction of Personal Independence Payment can be obtained by writing to: Declan O’Mahony, Director, Motability, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, and Essex, CM19 5PX.