Today, there is a group up from the Clonmel and District Wheelchair Society, led by volunteer driver Philip Meaney, some of whom are wheelchair users. I thank the staff of Leinster House, including the ushers, for being so helpful, as they always are but especially to these wheelchair users. The mobility allowance was cut ten or 11 years ago and has nearly gone off the agenda, and it was supposed to be replaced. Wheelchair users have huge issues with mobility and trying to get transport. One woman drives her daughter to Clonmel five days a week from County Waterford. Access to transport is vital to these people. There is no point in having a free travel pass if you cannot get the bus. Even for Bus Éireann, seats have to be booked a day in advance. These people do not have the liberties we have, whereby we can just walk onto a bus or whatever. The mobility allowance, or some form of it, should certainly be reinstated and, indeed, other mobility issues should be addressed. It is very important for these people to be able to live their lives. They are enjoying their day here today and they have asked the Taoiseach to meet them if he has a minute, although we understand if he does not. They are from all over the country in different groups lobbying on this issue and they need all the supports they can get.

In fairness to Deputy McGrath, he was good enough to send me a note today to say representatives of the Tipperary spina bifida group are in the Dáil and I would love to get a chance to say hello if I can. I will be here for quite a while yet. I wish them well and thank them for being here, along with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

There are two issues. I understand that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has just allocated some money to the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonmel for a new bus, I believe, and no doubt that will be welcomed. I am pleased the Government was in a position to support that.

The Deputy is right in regard to the mobility allowance and the need to replace it. A lot of work has been done. I accept it has gone on a long time. People will remember the history of this in terms of the Ombudsman. I wrote to the Ombudsman in recent weeks on this and I am expecting we will bring final proposals very shortly to the Government.