Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Again, I have to ask the Minister to accept that the situation regarding the transport expenses will significantly discriminate against people who live in the vast swathes of rural Ireland where there are no public transport facilities. Workers on comparable incomes carrying out similar tasks on a daily basis located in any of the major urban and city centres that have public transport will not be similarly affected. This is discriminatory against people who live throughout the country and, as I know of cases personally, in my constituency, particularly in Cavan and Monaghan.

Equally, in terms of home improvement loan repayments, while the Minister is continuing to make provision for the mortgage repayment element in the calculation, the home improvement loan, in terms of upgrading to particular enjoyable standards, is often essential. It can be for an expanding family or the particular needs of a disabled member of the household. There are a range of home improvement loans that are essential. They are not for decorative purposes or the sheer enjoyment of it. They are essential to the needs of the particular household and to cut that off with these consequences is unacceptable.

How can the Minister of State square the oft-claimed commitment of this Government, shown in its programme for Government document, to introduce universal access to primary care free at the point of delivery with the ongoing restrictions of medical card eligibility? These measures run contrary to the Minister's stated programme and his stated intent.

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