Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin:

I thank the Chairman and the joint committee for their invitation to appear before them again today regarding the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grants schemes.

I will attempt to answer any questions members may have on the schemes. It would be helpful to have some opening remarks to aid discussions. As the Minister and the Minister of State outlined to the joint committee on 6 February last, the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance were established on an administrative basis in good faith and with the best intentions in 1968 and 1979, respectively, to meet mobility and transport needs for a particular group of people with severe physical difficulties.