Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In fairness to Deputy McGrath, he was good enough to send me a note today to say representatives of the Tipperary spina bifida group are in the Dáil and I would love to get a chance to say hello if I can. I will be here for quite a while yet. I wish them well and thank them for being here, along with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

There are two issues. I understand that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has just allocated some money to the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonmel for a new bus, I believe, and no doubt that will be welcomed. I am pleased the Government was in a position to support that.

The Deputy is right in regard to the mobility allowance and the need to replace it. A lot of work has been done. I accept it has gone on a long time. People will remember the history of this in terms of the Ombudsman. I wrote to the Ombudsman in recent weeks on this and I am expecting we will bring final proposals very shortly to the Government.

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