Medical card changes and health plan
Micheál Martin sought debate time on medical-card withdrawals, the health service plan and HSE legislation. The Taoiseach said the plan would be published after ministerial consideration and the HSE Bill was expected during the session.
As the Taoiseach knows, the medical card situation is creating grave anxiety across the country. Approximately 40,000 medical cards were taken out of the system last year. Some 10,000 of them were discretionary medical cards. We know that the passing of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Bill 2013 will lead to 35,000 medical cards being taken from people over the age of 70. We know from the budget that up to 100,000 additional medical cards could be taken if the Government follows through on its estimate. At the same time, hospital waiting lists are going through the roof. The children's hospital, inpatient and day case waiting lists increased by 18% generally between September 2012 and September 2013. We have had huge cuts in access to therapies for children. There have been cuts to older people's services. These are just some elements of the serious issues people are facing as a result of decisions made in the health budget. We know that the health service plan has been sent to the Minister.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach provide Government time for this House to debate the health service plan? Deputies should have reasonable time to make an input into the health service plan. There is acute anxiety among the public in relation to health matters generally. When can we expect the Bill providing for the dismantling of the HSE to be brought to the House?
Comment on this
Some 10,000 new cards have been issued this year, of which 20,000 were discretionary cards. I have already explained that there is a process with regard to the health service plan. The HSE has presented the Minister with its recommendations based on the budgetary situation. The Minister has 21 days to reflect on that. The plan will be published. I have no objection to it being debated here.