Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Mairéad Farrell that this scheme affects the lives of many people. This is why the suspension of the scheme in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling is a serious issue. While a number of people are waiting to obtain access to the scheme, I will work with the HSE and raise this matter with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to see what we can do to process the outstanding applications as soon as possible.

In response to Deputy Denis Naughten, I have already confirmed the processing of applications relating to the scheme will recommence on 1 January next. As I said to Deputy Mairéad Farrell, I will talk to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding what can be done to process applications quickly in light of what has happened this year. This is a very sensitive matter. I anticipate that we will have to assess the current eligibility criteria for the scheme because most of the contact I get is about that. While it will be difficult to pin down the exact time that will be involved in doing this work, I would like to have a report and a conclusion to this process for next year's Finance Bill because this matter has been ongoing for a period and I would like to be in a position to be able to amend next year's Bill in order to deal with the conclusions that will come from this process.