Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are taking a hands-on approach. We are proactive in our work as part of the group that the Taoiseach has convened. My Department has developed proposals. Even though we are not an expenditure-based Department, we have considerable expertise and experience within the Department and within the Revenue Commissioners of the operation of this scheme, which can be of significant help in the design of a new grant-based expenditure scheme. We are being proactive in that regard. We will continue to operate the existing scheme, imperfect as it is. Many people benefit from the scheme on an annual basis. However, I agree with the thrust of what the Deputy is saying. There is a need for a new scheme and I am lending my full support to make that happen as quickly as possible.