Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I do not accept this because using gross income is not a fair way of calculating entitlement. That is why there are deductions for tax purposes, such as PRSI, travel-to-work, mortgage repayments and child care. For example, a single mother with one dependent child can earn more than €584 a week and still get a full medical card depending on her outgoings. Travel to work could cost €40 a week and child care €100 a week. These can be added to her income when she is assessed for a full medical card. The new assessment mechanism will help us to target both the full and doctor-only card to those who need it most.

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