Ms Teresa Leonard:

There was also a question on the increase in numbers on all the disability schemes. There is an overall increase in numbers on all the disability schemes. It is not substantial but it is a continual increase as with all the Department schemes in recent years.

The Deputy also asked about the advisory group on taxation and social welfare report on domiciliary care and DA, which is due later in the year. That report is not available from the group - it is still under consideration. I have no information on the outcome of it. The advisory group is preparing reports in a number of areas and the one on child benefit is complete and with the Minister for consideration. The other reports on self-employment and domiciliary care and the others have not been finalised. It is an incremental report as Ms Kennedy mentioned in her presentation. That is why certain areas are more advanced than others in that group's reporting.