Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some six weeks or two months ago I asked about a commitment made in the programme for Government on primary care. The programme for Government promised a universal primary care Act and clearly indicated that universal primary care would be introduced in phases, particularly in respect of recruiting additional doctors, nurses and allied health professionals for the new primary care areas. Crucially, it also promised that access without fee to primary care would be extended in the first year of the Government's term to claimants of free drugs under the long-term illness scheme, at a cost of €17 million. This Government has now been two and a half years in office. Access without fee to primary care was to be extended to claimants of free drugs under the high technology drugs scheme during the Government's second year, at a cost of €15 million. There are many more commitments but I ask the Taoiseach to deal first with the ones I have mentioned. When can we expect them to be fulfilled? He indicated that the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, would bring legislation before the House on the first phase, that is, access to free GP care for those on the long-term illness scheme. Where is that legislation, when can we expect it and will it be in the House prior to the summer recess?

See this speech in context