Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

As always, I am grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy. I am also grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, for outlining the benefits of this wonderful scheme. I will take the opportunity of conveying its provisions to the wider public arena. I referred to two specific areas but it is not acceptable to deal with them solely as health issues. I am talking about building flexibility into the scheme for those who are within a year or two of the 65-year limit, which is an arbitrary cut-off point. As the Minister of State has pointed out, demand for the CSOP scheme is declining and there should not be a greater burden on the Exchequer. There was no suggestion that there should be an increase or any flexibility built into the €300 figure, although it is welcome. The developing and evolving technology, and the experience of Councillor Gilmartin's group, suggest there is a need for some flexibility in this regard. The Minister of State has promised to convey these concerns to the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. In that context, I would be grateful if he would also raise those two specific issues. I am extremely grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, for his kind comments.