The HSE contract for services for medical equipment, which includes wheelchairs, is about to end in September this year. I believe the HSE is currently undertaking a review of the existing service, so I ask that the Government ensures that the HSE engages with wheelchair users and disabled persons organisations, which include wheelchair users among their members. They should engage on their experience of the company because the average wait for a new wheelchair can be up to eight months. If people do not have a wheelchair, it means they are basically prisoners in their own home.

I also raise the cost of other mobility aids such as prosthetics and silicone socks, which have risen dramatically. A lot of this is due to the fact that they are sourced from Britain and Brexit has had an impact. Could these vital products be sourced, preferably in Ireland or at least in the EU, so that we could see a reduction in the costs?

I thank Deputy Tully. This may be an issue arising specifically with her community healthcare organisation region within the HSE. I am not familiar with the details of it. I know that the HSE contract is being looked at. If Deputy Tully wants to send the details to me I will get them to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The HSE is responsible for its own procurement in that regard. The Deputy says there are issues with service provision, in particular of wheelchairs. A wait of eight to nine months for wheelchairs does not seem to be an acceptable level of service at all, to be very frank with the Deputy. If she wants to send me over the details, I will make sure the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, gets them and can respond directly to her.