Page 71 of the programme for Government notes that the Government intends to introduce legislation for the introduction of a new mobility scheme to assist those with disabilities in meeting their increased mobility costs. As the Taoiseach is aware, four years have passed since the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme closed following concerns raised by the Ombudsman about its legality. As a result, thousands of people with disabilities can no longer get the supports they need to aid their mobility. For months the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities has answered parliamentary questions indicating that the general scheme of this legislation will go to Government shortly. He has given the same answer since February at least. Why is this delay ongoing, and when will this House have concrete proposals to deal with this long-standing matter?

Discussions involving the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are under way on the design of the new scheme, how it will be administered and the costs associated with it. We intend to legislate next year to have the new scheme up and running in 2018 and then have it introduced towards the end of next year.