Would the Minister not consider giving some incentive to local authorities to provide wheelchair access on footpaths and so on?

I have asked local authorities——

You asked them but you provided nothing in the form of finance.

We cannot have a discussion.

Has the Minister provided an incentive in the form of financial aid to local authorities?

It is a matter for the local authorities to undertake on the allocation they get. The Deputy is alluding to the roads and footpaths grant. It is a matter for the local authorities to decide what they will do with the block grants they get.

Is the Minister aware that this money is decreasing and that he is asking the impossible?

It is a matter for the local authority to decide. In regard to disablement grants, I asked the local authorities to be as flexible as they can and to give the benefit of the doubt in every case.

The local authorities are not in the position of the loaves and the fishes——

I have granted permission to Deputy D'Arcy to ask a Private Notice Question.