Previously the Department of Social Welfare provided a diet supplement for people on special medical diets. This was an extra allowance to help to cover the increased cost of such special diets. Numerous coeliac constituents have been on to me to say the coeliac diet and the specialist food they require because of their medical condition cost significantly more. They are asking for a return of the diet supplement. Currently, there are people getting it, so there is complete inequality and a disparity. Some people are lucky enough to get the supplement and others are left with no help whatsoever. It is imperative that we bring back the special diet supplement. In the dying days of the Government, I ask that we start the process in this regard within the Department of Social Protection.

We are more optimistic in the dying days. I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue affecting his constituents, namely the diet supplement for people on special diets, including coeliacs. I am not across the detail but I will raise the matter directly with the relevant Minister, Deputy Humphreys, today and ask her to revert to the Deputy.