Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister have any statistics on those who are eligible for a GP-visit card or a medical card who have been referred to the service and who are claiming the 20%. It is not as if people go for the craic. They are not getting the full cost back. They are only able to claim 20% of the cost. I must watch my language. No one would waste 80% of their money if they did not need the service.

It is not just the physiotherapist involved. A professional society is also involved. One should not have to go to another profession. We have spoken about trying to unclog the system. It does not make sense to go to another health professional for a referral. I understand what the Minister said about having to restrict access, but GPs are likely to refer people anyway. The only difference is that it will cost an extra €45.

Three members of my family were sick this week, including me. It cost €120 to visit the doctor. People are making different choices. They are asking how sick they are and whether they need to go to the doctor. If they have to go to the GP first, it will cost €40, and if they have to go to a physiotherapist, even if they get the 20% rebate, it will cost an additional amount. That is making people take decisions that result in them becoming more unwell. Their problems build up and it will cost the State more at a later stage. I would like to see the statistical evidence. A total of 2 million are able to get the referral. Is it the case that we do not trust physiotherapists on the basis that they will just treat every Tom, Dick and Harry who walks through their door and charge them but GPs will be trusted because they will charge people between €40 and €60?