Medical cards for disabled children
Boland asked whether children cared for at home could receive medical cards regardless of family income. The Minister said it was an idea, while noting many families already had cards.
I know the Minister is aware of the extremely high cost to parents of keeping mentally handicapped children at home. Whilst the £35 allowance is a help, would the Minister consider the possibility of having medical card cover issued in respect of the children, even in circumstances where the family income in general would not qualify the family for medical services? Would the Minister consider the idea of having medical card services so that the cost of local GP would be covered in respect of children kept at home?
Comment on this
Yes, a fair number of these families would have medical cards anyway for one reason or another but it is an idea.