Opposition parties have welcomed the Government's decision to abandon the Budget proposal to raise the age limit for the Disability Allowance from 16 to 18.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said the existing arrangements would continue, pending the completion of a full review of the scheme.
Ms Hanafin said Government had reflected carefully on the concerns expressed by families and representative groups.
Fine Gael Education spokesperson Olwyn Enright said it was only right that the cut had been reversed.
Describing the move as 'the latest u-turn', she claimed it showed how wrong Fianna Fáil and the Greens got it on the Budget, which she said was 'falling apart at the seams'.
Labour's Kathleen Lynch said the Minister had swallowed her pride and seen sense.
She said the proposal amounted to 'a mugging of disabled people and families who care for them'.
Rehab Group Chief Executive Angela Kerins welcomed the move: 'We are delighted that the Minister has taken the decision, pending a review.
'We had an open and constructive discussion with the Minister, who was very interested in our views of the abilities and skills of people with disabilities.'
