The spring-summer legislative programme indicates that work on the health (transport support) Bill is still under way. The purpose of the Bill is to restore the mobility allowance which was withdrawn six years ago on foot of an ombudsman's recommendation. It was closed to new applicants. There are thousands of disabled people who have become entitled on medical grounds to some assistance with their transport costs. Does the Taoiseach agree that the delay has been unconscionable? I have raised this question several times over the last six years and on each occasion I have been told that work is under way. When can we see the legislation and when will the anomaly be resolved?

The purpose of the Bill is not to restore the mobility allowance, it is to create a new form of transport support allowance which complies with all of the different stipulations. Work is under way involving the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure. I have asked specifically that the legislation be done this year so that we can factor it into the Estimates for next year.