Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

This should be done instead of having them worried, as they are, that their income will creep up above the limits of €700 and €1,400, respectively, for those who are single or married. They are worried about what will happen if one partner dies and what income will be left to the other partner. They are worried whether, at some future stage, the Minister will reduce the level of the means test. If they are not worried about themselves, they are worried about their neighbours who may be in such a position. Moreover, if the Taoiseach begins to withdraw universal entitlements to medical cards today, they are worried about where he will stop. Will it be the bus pass next year and something else the following year?

The Taoiseach should clarify a couple of points in respect of his announcement this morning. He stated that 5% of the single and married over-70s earn in excess of €700 and €1,400, respectively. What is the basis for this figure? I do not know whether income distribution figures are available for those who are over 70. I have never seen or had access to them. What is the basis for the Taoiseach's assertion in respect of this figure of 5%? Is it simply off the back of the envelope?

The Taoiseach has stated that from 1 January, there will be no automatic entitlement to a medical card for those who are over 70. Can the Taoiseach confirm to the House that after 1 January, the income limits may be changed by ministerial order and will not require approval from this House? What assurance can the Taoiseach give to pensioners that they will not be further reduced if economic conditions continue to be bad? Will the €700 and €1,400 limits, to which the Taoiseach referred this morning, be index-linked?

What is the position in respect of someone who has a medical card which states it is valid until 2012? Will such people keep those medical cards until 2012 or will they be required to make a declaration that their income has gone over the limit? What happens if someone does not make a declaration that his or her income has exceeded the limit and this is discovered subsequently? Will they be committing an offence under the Health Act 1970, which I understand to be the position at present? Will the HSE be entitled to go after such people for the health costs they incurred while holding medical cards in circumstances in which they did not make the declaration?

Members have heard the figures for the income limit for holding a full medical card. Are new income limits available for doctor-only cards or for qualification for the €400 subsidy that was announced on budget day? Have the doctor-only card for the over-70s and the €400 subsidy that was announced on budget day now been taken off the table?

See this speech in context