Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I accept the Minister's point that it is lower income families who need these cards the most. However, does she not accept the reality that there are many families on what would be regarded as moderate incomes who, because of their commitment to the workplace, namely, two earning parents, the outlay on child care, mortgages and other such expenses, which were not all together reflected even in the new configuration she announced last week, face hardship and that children suffer in such circumstances? I do not believe the Tánaiste can universally apply her earlier response and claim children are not suffering as a consequence. They are suffering and the only way to ensure all children are adequately catered for and that we invest in the health of the nation is through the extension of full medical card cover to all children under 18 years. Will the Tánaiste accept this proposal?

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