Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The human situation that the Deputy describes is extremely frustrating. I understand what the Deputy is saying - I imagine all Members understand. The Government is now dealing with the issue of access to services. I am referring to necessary access that people with medical conditions and illnesses must have, even if they are over the means test limit. All Governments have been sticking to the 1970 Act, dating back almost 45 or 50 years, and held that unless a person satisfies the mean test, he does not get access to services. That is what we are trying to change and that is what we will change. That is what we are going to do properly and comprehensively through this review. The Government has indicated that it will come back to the Oireachtas in early course. We hope we will be able to do so, and we intend doing so in the autumn.

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