Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with yesterday's expressions of sympathy regarding our former colleague and Leas-Chathaoirleach, Mr. Paul Coghlan. We will have another day for proper expressions of sympathy for the late Senator.

I support Senator McGahon on the issue he raised regarding the €70,000 grant for first-time buyers. That issue could nearly be resolved now. I compliment the Minister on being on top of it but the grant's hold-up has caused some hardship to some people. Issues with it should probably have been ironed out before the scheme was launched. It is a great scheme. The banks are looking for their pound of flesh to get protection in case anything goes wrong and the taxpayer comes in at the end of the day as well. The issue may well be resolved.

I also support what Senator Clonan said about the Ombudsman's report this morning regarding disability grants for disabled drivers. We have to do more on that issue. That report warrants a debate in the House. I ask the Acting Leader to arrange a debate on the report at some stage. There are so many different forms of transport out there, from disability scooters to cars, which can help disabled drivers. Every effort should be made to make life easier for them because they experience a lot of hardship. Whatever we can do, we should be doing it. As the Ombudsman said this morning, some of those grants were there for 40 years but have not been in place for the past ten years. It is an issue we should look at and on which the Government should intervene straight away. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is doing a lot of work in this area. I have no doubt she is a very competent person and will deal with the issue but the report warrants a debate in the House. I would welcome such a debate in future.