Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Government recognises the principle of free access for all to GP and hospital care and medication, which the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children referred to as the principle of universality, but only for those over 70 years of age. I am of the view that health care should be free for all citizens at the point of delivery. Under the current approach, however, financial rather than health considerations are the primary factor in providing access to free treatment for the sector of the population below 70 years of age.

For the community welfare officer making an assessment, "undue hardship" refers to financial hardship. What about a person's medical condition and the hardship he or she suffers as a result? Only some categories of long-term illness are covered, for example. What about those who suffer from asthmatic conditions, some of them struggling to draw breath? Some persons with disabilities are covered while others are not. Health should be the primary consideration in this regard.

Given that the principle of universality has been conceded, will the Government grant full medical cards or, as a first step, GP-only cards to all children under the age of 18 years? This would be a significant step which would have an enormously positive impact on the daily lives of ordinary people and the health of countless generations of young people, leaving them in a much better position through their adult and later life. Many young people are not getting the medical care and attention they require, principally because their unfortunate parents cannot afford it and are excluded by the outrageously low income threshold for qualification.

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