Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is actively considering options. It is important to say that the Government did not make a decision that this scheme needed to be ended. It was examined by the Ombudsman and found to be unfair. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, he has been engaging with disability groups to find the fairest way to proceed. Everybody who is on it has retained it and we do not want anybody who is on it to lose, but we also need to look at how we can reopen it. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, to revert to the three Deputies with a timeline. I know he has been working on it extensively. He has a number of options to consider and I would like to see it brought to a conclusion quickly.

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