Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. I am delighted to hear that the assessment board, the adjudicating committee, will soon be in place. I understand that it is not the Minister's responsibility; it is the adjudication board's. The big problem was that no board was in place and it has taken so long. I understand that a process needs to be followed to fill these positions, but people have been waiting since last November. We are now in the month of May and there is still no decision. I am glad to see that the board is being put in place. I hope it will be put in place quickly because so many people are waiting for decisions.

I also welcome the full review of the criteria because they are very restrictive. People are literally required to have no arms or no legs to qualify. Many people may have had accidents resulting in debilitating injuries. If the criteria are relaxed somewhat, they might be able to qualify. A number of them need an adapted car. I welcome that a full review is going on and that the board will be in place shortly. I will be keeping an eye to see when the board is put in place.