Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Briefly, I do not expect the Minister of State to be in a position to second-guess progress with the engagement with the IMO. However, there is no doubt but that the initial flagged intention of the roll-out of free GP care for all aged under six years of age in the course of this year is slowly but certainly moving more distant from our grasp. This is happening to the point that in the media this week, there has been speculation that the moneys set aside in the health budget for the current year as a provision for this particular area of entitlement now will not be employed at all in the current year. People are linking this with the expected cost of the restoration of discretionary medical cards and the €13 million involved there. Would the Minister of State like to indicate whether there is a connection? Is that where his eye is cast with regard to the restoration of the 15,300 medical cards? He should give members a sense of the position in this regard as from my perspective, that would be unfortunate. I still hold to the initial premise and still am willing to work with the Minister of State towards a much more concrete understanding of the intended roll-out, which is what I seek. It is still too unspecific but I will stay the course for now at least. Nevertheless, I would be grateful to hear whether he has anything to add. I understand the engagement with the IMO is still pending and I understand the difficulties this might present.