Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I do not think too many people over the age of 70 who are widowed will put an advertisement in the newspaper to suggest that someone comes and lives with them so they can keep their medical cards. I do not believe such a scenario exists. The onus in the application process rests with the older person. It is a simplified self-assessment. The HSE must use the provisions it uses at present and not only with regard to this group of citizens as other authorities do. It is not the case that older people do not communicate with the authorities. Those with a taxable income, and we are discussing only those who have a taxable income, must file returns.

Every two years, the Department of Finance and the Paymaster General communicate with pensioners, whether they are teachers, doctors, civil servants or Members of this House, to certify their circumstances. Recently, I saw a letter in a teacher's house in which confirmation was requested that the person was still there and alive.

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