Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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On the health aspect, that would mean people going on to the existing public list, I imagine. I am conscious that a lot of people really struggled to maintain employment because of their experiences and are in a situation now where they are really in need of certain medical treatments. If they are going on to an existing public system that we all know is creaking at the seams, it will be very difficult. Given that this is the prelegislative stage and we are probably hoping to make some changes, it might difficult to look at each case individually but I am thinking of people I know who are waiting for a hip operation or knee replacement, things like that. Would it be better to look at the individual needs rather than just providing this enhanced medical card? It sounds great but the reality is that they are going onto a system that could already have a three or four-year waiting list. They could even be on those waiting lists already.