Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am not suggesting that. However, persons aged 66 and 67 years may earn a maximum income of €298 — as a couple — to qualify for a medical card. What we are doing for those aged over 70 years is substantially ahead of that.

Expenditure on medical cards in general is increasing by approximately 3% per annum, whereas the increase for the medical card for those aged over 70 years is approximately 7% per annum. I repeat the statement I made yesterday that the current arrangements are not financially sustainable. If they were to continue, it would be at the expense of much poorer people and other much needed services. I am sure we will debate all these issues on Committee Stage.

Many references were made to the manner in which income will be calculated. We are not taking into account any income from property, land or farms. Only actual income will be calculated. It is often the case, as it is now, that nursing home subventions and many other social welfare schemes impute income at a particular rate. It will not happen here. It will refer to actual income, which is a significant improvement and has been greatly welcomed.

See this speech in context