Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach and his Ministers are prone to answering questions about rip-off with a sense of denial, but I would like to raise a particular issue. My colleague, Deputy Stanton, has conducted extensive research on the cost of disability equipment here compared to in the United Kingdom. His survey shows that people with disabilities, the Health Service Executive and the taxpayer here pay on average more than 40% higher prices for disability equipment, and in one case more than 100%.

Deputy Stanton's survey looked at 19 basic items that serve disabled people in their daily lives, including mobility equipment, toiletry aids, safety grab rails etc. He found on average that prices here are 40% higher than in the United Kingdom. Five items were over 50% more expensive. For example, the memory foam cushion is €137.83 in UK prices, but €275 in Ireland, a differential of approximately 100%. The prop-up bed wedge used by disabled people is €20.94 in Britain, but €38.30 in Ireland, a differential of over 83%. The grab rail, which is an important aid for disabled people, is €11.54 in England and €17.50 here, over 52% of a price differential. Two very important items are the stair lift and the four-wheel scooter. The 16-step stair lift is €1,400 in the United Kingdom but there is a differential of €611.83 here. The four-wheel scooter is over €770 dearer here.

These differentials illustrate that the taxpayer, the HSE and, most importantly, disabled persons are ripped off by prices of items essential for their daily comfort and convenience. Should there not be a review of these prices by the Competition Authority? Will the Taoiseach instruct it to carry out such a review and investigation to ensure these mini cartels are broken up and that the taxpayer, the HSE and disabled persons get fair treatment across the board and are not ripped off in this manner?

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