Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government's credibility on this issue has been shattered. The programme for Government states, "Access to primary care without fees will be extended in the first year to claimants of free drugs under the long-term illness scheme at a cost of €17 million". We are in year three and there has been no roll-out of free GP care for long-term illness claimants nor has there been any form of expansion. We are no wiser about the Government position on the need for primary or secondary legislation or as to what will happen to ensure the programme for Government commitment is honoured during its term. The Minister of State said the Cabinet has been apprised of the issue and a decision will be made in the near future. Five weeks ago, we were told it would take six weeks for the Minister to come back with proposals on the best way forward to address this issue. The cost to the Exchequer of the full roll-out of this service will be €500 million in year five of the Government's term but the Minister of State could not even secure the €17 million required to cover long-term illness claimants. The senior Minister snaffled that last year. What is the position on the long-term illness commitment and the commitment to roll-out primary care in the programme for Government?

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