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

It relates to forthcoming legislation. Many would agree that children with disabilities or special needs should be the first cohort to get access to medical cards irrespective of age. When will the health (general practitioner medical service) Bill, which I understand will provide GP services only to those aged under five years, be forthcoming and will it take into consideration my comments? The first phase should be for children who really need it. I am referring to cochlear implants, children with the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and children across the board whose medical cards have been removed and of whom we have had experience in recent weeks. This situation has highlighted sad and difficult cases and parents and families should not need to go through it.

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