The Tánaiste may have read over Christmas about the wonderful achievements of Shaun Fogarty from Cahir over the new year. In 2013, this 19-year-old student was left paralysed followed a devastating car accident. His family was told he would never move, eat, drink, or speak again. In the ten years since his accident, Shaun has overcome massive challenges with the support of his parents Gretta and Kevin Fogarty, his family, and wonderful carers. He showed great determination and strength and after three years in hospital he moved home to be cared for by his family. Since then, Shaun has shown great resilience and has gone on to complete a masters. Despite showing such determination and resilience, and overcoming so many obstacles, Shaun is now essentially restricted from taking up work or earning over €375 per week. That limit is a very unfair discrimination. Shaun is an inspiration to us all, shows what it takes and what passion and resilience he has but this anomaly means if he gets work he will lose his medical card and assistance and no employer can pay that.

Time is up please.

This needs to be looked at for cases such as this with such inspirational people.

The Deputy makes a very fair point and I pay tribute to Shaun for his resilience and his family for their care and nurturing. We provide supports for disabilities within third level education and that helps but we must do everything possible for people with disabilities to enable employment. I am 100% in agreement with him. We have increased the thresholds for the medical card significantly now. I am not sure of the specifics of the case but the Deputy could follow up with the Minister for Health regarding the new situation and eligibility thresholds. He would certainly be entitled to the GP card.

He has that but he loses-----

It depends on the nature of the employment obviously. I recommend that the Deputy speaks to the Minister.