Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the cochlear bilateral implants have been mentioned, I will not mention them again. It is the best practice for treating children who are profoundly deaf and it has such an impact on their lives. Prescription charges have already been mentioned also.

I have publicly welcomed the free GP care for those under six - I will not go into that today - and the Minister's moves on tobacco. In that regard, the Minister will be aware that we - myself, along with Senators Crown and Daly - have a Bill in the Seanad and I hope there will be progress on it now.

The issue to which I want to limit myself today is question No. 18, which I submitted several weeks ago and which relates to medical cards issued on the grounds of a terminal illness and, therefore, not subject to means testing. I submitted this question because I have been doing work with organisations, such as the Irish Hospice Foundation and Jack & Jill Foundation. No doubt Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, who is here, will be able to add to this and give of her direct experience of what I am talking about.