We know that when it comes to accessing public healthcare, cost is a major barrier. Sláintecare identified that as a major issue that needed to be addressed to achieve fairness. Four measures were announced in the budget, which would have been small steps along the way in this regard. They were to reduce prescription charges, improve the threshold for the drugs payment scheme, raise the income limits for medical cards for those over 70 and extend free GP care for six- to eight-year-old children. Those four measures were to take effect from July but that did not happen. Why did it not happen? When will the Taoiseach honour the promises he made?

Those measures were announced and they are still actively being pursued. In respect of the reduction in prescription charges for those over 70, that came through Cabinet in July. The Deputy can take it that there will be positive developments on those fronts.