Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

-----but I appeal to the Leader if he is on mile 19 or 20 to go out and collect him and bring him to the House so we can discuss with him the real issues of the day.

A major issue facing disabled people who have been in receipt of motorised transport grants for the past ten, 12 or 15 years from the Department of Health as the applications they are making this year are being refused. Over the weekend I dealt with three such applications. Obviously, the Minister will state no cutbacks to resources are being made, but the criteria have been tightened. The Minister must address the House to explain why people who are eligible are being refused.

It is five weeks since the new school term commenced. However, 40,000 families throughout the country are waiting for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to be paid. These families have not even had their applications processed, never mind paid out. They had to buy footwear and clothing-----