Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What Deputy Kelleher said is incorrect. The Government has a clear plan in relation to the implementation of access to free GP services for children under six years of age. The legislation in this regard will be published shortly. I look forward to hearing the Deputy's response to that legislation because I am anxious to know whether he supports the initiative. The IMO has indicated it supports it, although it has raised reasonable concerns which I am anxious to discuss with it.

The Deputy is also wrong on the budgetary issue because €37 million has been voted specifically for this measure. The Deputy is also wrong in his commentary about discretionary medical cards being granted to people based on medical need. The Deputy knows well that there is no such thing as a discretionary medical card based on medical need but that people may apply for and the HSE may grant a discretionary medical card in circumstances where a person has to meet expenses in respect of their medical condition.

I look forward to meeting the IMO. It has been suggested there has been no attempt by me to ensure such a meeting takes place. I have written twice to the IMO. I am engaged in correspondence with it, which I could read into the record of the House if I had time. I have made it clear to the IMO in that correspondence that I look forward to meeting it. I have extended three invitations to the IMO to meet me to negotiate on the contract. There will be consultation and negotiation but people have to attend a meeting for this to happen.

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