Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

The introduction of the means test is a Trojan horse, one that can be used to water down the entitlements of the elderly over the coming months. Based on the Government announcements, the proposed income thresholds are dependent on Mr. O'Sullivan getting a deal from the GPs. At present, over 70s on the standard rate of tax have been branded as the super rich. The reality is that far more than the 14% of those with a medical card will lose this entitlement, contrary to the announcement today. What is stopping the Government from cutting income limits again once the Dáil removes the automatic right to a medical card for over 70s? If this right is removed, what is to stop the Government removing free travel, free electricity and free telephone entitlements? What will be the income threshold for a couple where one person is under the age of 70 and one is over that age? Will the promised thresholds be based on income tax returns for 2007, or on incomes for 2008 that have seen significant reductions on dividends and interest rates? Will the Government try to make up the savings by reducing the benefits of having a medical card? We have already seen that those on medical cards have had their entitlements to chiropody and optician services reduced. Will access to medicines be taken from the medical card, with the result that even those who have the card must actually pay for their prescriptions?

There is no doubt that this budget targets elderly people for a financial hit that should have Government Deputies hiding in shame. Instead, as we saw in this Chamber last week, they gave a standing ovation to the announcements of the Minister for Finance and to his cutbacks in respect of the elderly, including the removal of entitlement to the medical card.

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