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

I cannot elicit information on whether there has been change in policy or in practice. However, I do know one thing: there has been a change to many people's lives. These are people in our communities who have had their discretionary medical cards withdrawn or who applied on a discretionary basis but were not granted a card. Last night in the Dáil debate I remarked on the advocacy groups, who represent and advocate for people, which have been consistently highlighting this. The Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, Down Syndrome Ireland and many other organisations, including the Irish Cancer Society and others, have consistently said that there is a change either in the practice or the policy. Either way, it is making a major impact on people's lives in a negative way.

The former Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, stated clearly in her report in 2013 that while there was no discernible change in terms of policy, the way the scheme was implemented and the way discretion was assessed had been tightened to the point where it was more and more difficult for officials to grant a card on a discretionary basis. Therefore, there have been changes. I said last night and I repeat: the Minister of State is asking the old and the sick to pay for the health and the wealthy and that is simply wrong.

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