Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presentations. I may get more than two minutes but I am aware that time is limited and I will not be able to cover all the areas they discussed. I particularly empathise with the presentation by the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society because I have personal and family experience in both of these areas of health.

I draw attention to a thread that runs across the submissions, namely, that all the organisations want people to be able to remain in their own homes and communities. That is critical for all the clients of the various organisations before us. A number of issues arise, of which fuel poverty and medical cards are of particular importance.

A shocking study on fuel poverty has been prepared under the direction Professor Goodman of Dublin Institute of Technology. The study, which was peer reviewed and publicly funded, was launched last year by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. The research indicates that in excess of 1,281 winter deaths occur over summer deaths in Ireland. That figure is one of the highest in Europe and is even higher than the rate in Scandinavian countries, which experience much colder winters than Ireland. In the context of the cuts introduced since the Government came to power in the free fuel schemes, the reduction of the scheme from 32 weeks to 26 weeks and the cuts to the household benefits package for electricity and gas heating units, it is essential for these cuts to be reversed if people are to be able live in their own homes. I hope this will be taken on board by the Government in the coming budget.

I have referred on numerous occasions to the issue of medical cards and the fear that exists among sick, elderly and disabled people that they may lose their cards. Medical cards are being reviewed in instances where they are not due for review. A considerable number of elderly people who have valid cards which were assessed, approved and issued by the HSE with expiry dates up to 2020 are being subjected to review. That practice must stop and I hope the Minister for Health will instruct the HSE to desist.

In regard to the question of discretionary medical cards for persons with serious and ongoing illnesses, such as cancer and motor neuron disease, these people are not qualifying for cards. That is something which will have to change and I hope the committee puts that argument strongly and clearly to the Government.