61 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the request from the Irish Wheelchair Association for a once-off grant from national lottery funds to help them to clear their debts.

113 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to (a) the extremely serious financial position in which the Irish Wheelchair Association finds itself and (b) that if the services of the association have to be withdrawn through lack of funds this will create extraordinary hardship both to the handicapped and to their families; and whether he intends to take any action to assist the association.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 113 together.

I am aware of the Irish Wheelchair Association's financial difficulties. I met with the Association's representatives on 3 June 1992 and I am at present considering their application for additional funding.