In correspondence to me, the Minister for Health advised that he intended to publish the health (amendment) (No. 2) Bill in the last session but that did not happen. For those who are not aware, this gives effect to the budget commitment to extend an automatic medical card to those children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance.

This is long overdue. My constituency office, and I imagine the constituency offices of many Deputies, has been inundated with desperate parents wanting to know when they will be able to access a medical card for their children who have been deemed to have a severe or serious disability. According to the legislative programme, the pre-legislative scrutiny has yet to be determined. I have asked the Taoiseach this several times: when will these people see their medical cards?

Obviously, the publication of the Bill today follows through on the decision of the Government. The heads were approved in December of last year and the legislative scrutiny has to take place on it.

When will the first child get a medical card?

It is a matter for the committee as to when it wants to take it.

There is unanimous agreement in this House. There is no reason for this delay.

The Bill is very clear.

It is cruel at this stage.

It will provide a medical card to all children in respect of whom a domiciliary care allowance is made. The Bill will provide a clear entitlement to a defined group of children with a severe disability and significant needs to a medical card.

I could read that myself. When?

It has to go through. The Deputy should raise the question at the committee. Obviously, it has to go through pre-legislative scrutiny now. I do not control that.