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

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his presentation. If we accept that this is the first step in the roll-out of universality of access to free GP care for the population, we need to know what is the overall plan, what will be the next stage, how many stages will there be and what will be the timescale involved. The Minister of State indicated that this is a stepping stone to universality. When one considers what has happened since the Government came to office, one realises the unfortunate and sad fact that we have been moving in full reverse away from universality. The Minister of State will say that there are more medical cards now than ever before. That is true but it is due to the fact that large numbers of people have lost their jobs, that there have been huge cuts to people's living standards and that there have been massive wage reductions.

It is obvious that there has been a very serious move away from universality, particularly if one considers what has happened during the past two and a half years. The position with regard to discretionary medical cards is a very good example in that regard. Huge numbers of people have lost their discretionary cards. Even with the proposals that have emerged in recent days, approximately 15,000 people who lost their cards are still not going to have them returned. These are people who, as a result of the massive pressure on them, did not pursue reviews. Those in question are entitled to have their cards returned.

Another issue which arises is that which relates to new applicants. How will the applications of individuals whose circumstances are similar to those who are going to have their cards returned be dealt with between now and the submission of the new panel's recommendations some time next year? There is also the question of refunds. People who lost their discretionary cards have been obliged to shoulder significant costs. Many have been paying €142 per month for drugs for months or even years and €50 to their GPs for each visit. These are significant costs for families which are not in a position to bear them.

The eligibility thresholds relating to medical cards have been deliberately reduced. In addition, the Minister withdrew the provision whereby the first €50 in respect of travel expenses could be offset against one's medical card. The latter was particularly important for people who live in rural areas and who do not have access to transport. Individuals in many parts of my constituency and others throughout the country are now obliged to pay the first €50 in respect of transport costs. The Minister also withdrew the offset in respect of home improvement loans. In the past, if one improved one's home by adding on a downstairs bedroom, shower and toilet for a sick relative or close family member, there was provision to offset moneys in respect of repayments on whatever loan one obtained. That is no longer the case. What we have seen in recent times represents a reversal of any progress that had been made towards universality. Another matter which arises in that regard relates to the huge reductions in the limits - from €1,400 to €900 for a couple and from €700 to €500 for an individual - relating to the elderly during the past three years.

As the Minister of State well knows, I and many other Members of the Oireachtas have been raising the issue of the difficulty relating to discretionary medical cards for the past two and a half years. Our concerns simply were not listened to. I want the Minister of State to deal with another issue I have been raising on an ongoing basis in recent years with the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the other Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. I refer to GPs charging for the taking of blood samples. The Minister wrote to me to indicate that this is illegal and I asked him to pursue the matter with GPs. A huge burden is being placed on people on fixed incomes who are obliged, on a weekly basis, to pay anything up to €25 for the taking of blood samples. The Minister indicated that this practice is illegal but he is allowing it to continue.

I ask the Minister of State to pursue the matter to the very end because it is a huge burden on ordinary people on fixed incomes, especially elderly people on State pensions of €230 per week. If it means having the Garda visit GP practices, that should happen. I hope the Minister of State will respond positively to the suggestion because if he does not take cognisance of the matter, it will become as big an issue as discretionary medical cards.