The Minister for Health announced that he had allocated a further £4 million to eliminate health board waiting lists of disabled people waiting for aids and appliances.

Mr Cowen was responding to an all-party private member's motion calling for increased funding for people with a physical and sensory disability. It was debated on Tuesday and yesterday.

Ms Theresa Ahearn (FG, Tipperary South) said that submissions to a review group on the issue had highlighted the lack of comprehensive data on the numbers and service needed, as well as the disparities in eligibility criteria, between and within health board areas, and the inadequate statutory funding for individuals.

The Labour spokeswoman on health, Ms Roisin Shortall, said: "For the first time in the history of the State, we have the resources available to us to make a real and substantial difference to the lives of thousands of families in this State.

"Now we need the Government to demonstrate that it has the political will to make the necessary investment."

The motion was defeated by 80 votes to 73.