In response to a question from Deputy Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste said that the heads of the health (transport support) Bill would be available in July. The mobility allowance has been suspended for more than three years. It was originally suspended because the Ombudsman took the view that the scheme was not broad enough. Three years down the road we are still talking about the heads of a Bill. Countless people have potentially qualified for the mobility allowance in the interim. Can the Tánaiste indicate when that Bill will be brought before the House for discussion? When will it become law? Constituents ask us about it every week.

If the heads of the Bill are published in July, it can go for pre-legislative scrutiny shortly after that. That would be the next step.

Will it be introduced in the next session? We are more than three years down the road.

If the heads are published in July and if the pre-legislative scrutiny is completed, then drafting of the Bill can commence. Depending on the progress of the pre-legislative scrutiny and the issues that arise, the drafting will be done. I do not know whether it would be possible for it to be dealt with in the next session but it is important that the work starts. The heads will be published in July, pre-legislative scrutiny can then happen and if it moves ahead it can be introduced in the new term if that is possible.