Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I am pleased the Minister recognises that this proposal is of marginal cost. Surely, the corollary is that he would be willing to accept the amendment because only a very small number of people are affected and these are people who are deemed by the chief executive of the HSE to have significant financial burdens to meet. Let us not forget that the test for a medical card is financial. If someone has an illness, that person must produce the costs of medication and treatment. Such a person is awarded a medical card on the basis of such costs, not because he or she falls into a certain category of illness. It is because the cost of supporting oneself and treating the illness is such that he or she is not in a position to bear the burden. Let us leave aside the minimum wage; we will come to that presently. The Minister has convinced me that this is not expensive. It is reasonable and fair to people in this category which, thankfully, is small. I hope the Minister will accept the amendment.

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