Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin:

We will get that information for the Deputy.

On the Senator's question, the HSE will be a component part of this review and inter alia the HSE will be involved with the Langford group to ensure the issues are dealt with.

I wish to be clear about the matters raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. While these matters were in my Department, I must confess that it was the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who insisted on them matters being brought into the public domain. It is a political decision to bring these matters into the public domain, because ultimately these are matters that the Government must deal with. I welcome the opportunity of engagement with this committee. I also welcomed the opportunity of appearing here previously with the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to give the committee a flavour of the challenges and difficulties we face.

With regard to whether I can give commitments and undertakings, I am not in a position to give absolute guarantees and undertakings. However, we are determined to do everything we can in this difficult situation to ensure that the needs and interests of the clients we serve are protected. I assure the committee we will do everything we can to do that in the context of the solution we find. I am conscious of the fact that there are 4,700 people in receipt of the mobility allowance and that another 300 received the motorised transport grant. I am very concerned to assure them and the agencies that work with them that we will work in true partnership to find a solution to this issue.

I thank the committee members for their comments and suggestions. They have been very helpful and we will be very happy to take on board many of their recommendations. I also thank you, Chairman, for the courtesy you have shown to me and my officials.