Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

We must become less fixated with numbers and target the needs of families, children and the elderly. The way the Government is doing this, particularly discounting income outgoings, will ensure many people who traditionally would not have qualified because of their gross earnings will now come into the medical card net with either the full or doctor-only card. The doctor-only card meets the needs of a substantial number of people, particularly those with children. They want to be confident that if a child is sick they can get the opinion of the doctor without worrying about costs. Often in such cases, no follow-up medication is required.

Older people have greater health needs than younger people. However, the costs of the over 70s has been high. Issues have arisen in the context of re-negotiating the GMS contract. Some elderly patients are worth more than others to particular doctors. It must be asked——

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