Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Those aged 65 and older will continue to be treated more favourably under the Irish income tax code than all other taxpayers. This favourable treatment of pensioners has been protected by the budget. The question of the bereavement grant was raised. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, dealt with that very adequately yesterday. The allowances to support our elderly continue and are untouched despite the decision on the bereavement grant. The average cost of a funeral is between €3,000 and €5,000 around the country and up to €10,000 in Dublin.

Deputy Martin is well aware of the position on medical cards. When a card is issued to an applicant that card is issued for three or four years and there is an onus and duty on the recipient of the card to notify the HSE of any change in his or her circumstances. It rarely applies. In an analysis last year of 1.2 million cards 22 were returned voluntarily. There has been no change in the eligibility criteria for medical cards.

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