Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said the system responds, but the problem is that the system does not respond. The particular instance I have outlined is one in which the system accepted that undue hardship existed in 2009, 2010 and again in 2011. The person was subject to the same assessment in 2012 but under this Administration the medical card was withdrawn. The Minister for Health has told me that the criteria have not changed. If the criteria have not changed, then the person should have their medical card restored and I appeal to the Minister to do that.

At a broader level, I also appeal to the Minister to read the reports coming from across the country, raised here last by Deputy McNamara in May. He made it clear he was experiencing difficulties in County Clare. We are certainly experiencing difficulties in County Kildare. I believe it is not too much to expect that the Government should make the system work. If it worked in 2009, 2010 and 2011, it can work in 2012, 2013 and into the future. I ask the Minister to please make it work and ensure that those who are entitled to discretion get it and that some sort of humanity is demonstrated by the HSE and Government in these cases.

See this speech in context