Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleagues for sharing time in this important debate. Having spoken on many Bills, I do not believe this legislation should have come before the House. We are all aware of the worry caused to pensioners by the budget measure on medical cards for those aged over 70 years. We saw the protest on Kildare Street and heard people from across the political divide state the measure was wrong. We are not all wrong and I appeal to the Minister to take this final opportunity to reverse her decision.

I ask the Minister to exclude from the measure all those living in nursing homes. Nursing home care is extremely expensive and many families have no option but to place a mother, father or elderly relative in a nursing home. Some nursing home residents have good incomes which are above the threshold. All those living in a nursing home should be given a medical card. It is difficult enough to move from one's home to a nursing home. In the dying hours of this debate, I ask the Minister to grasp the opportunity to look after those living in nursing homes. Having visited many such homes, she will be aware of the worry and anxiety nursing home residents are experiencing.

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