Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The difficulty I have with the legislation before us is that it will lead to the numbers of those over 70 years of age who qualify for medical cards being reduced. There is no way around that. All of the evidence the Minister for Health has cited in respect of free GP care for the under fives indicates that it will be a cost-saving measure. Logic dictates that if the latter is true, then it should also be a cost-saving measure in respect of the over 70s.

Proposing a reduction in the number of people over 70 who will quality does not make economic sense if one follows the Minister's basic argument on free GP care for children under five. I do not like going back too far, but three years ago when an eligibility threshold of €1,400 a week was introduced it was described by those now in government as a damning attack on older people. If €1,400 per week is a damning attack on elderly people surely a reduction to €900 is a complete assault on them and their ability to access health care. I supported the introduction of the €1,400 threshold and we were vilified for it, perhaps, one could argue, rightly so. I cannot understand how the Minister can state this will not impact on many people. It will impact hugely and significantly on people who are over 70. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill is before the Dáil today. This is with regard to changes in the budget on tax relief for private health insurance. What will arise next year, and there is no point in us saying otherwise, is some elderly people will be unable to afford private health insurance.