Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to deal with this issue. The medical card system which is far more expensive than the fair deal scheme is entirely demand-led. If a person qualifies for a medical service, he or she receives that service, with no waiting time for access. Nobody says in November that all of the money is gone and that a service cannot be provided. The system should be similar to that for the fair deal scheme. If people qualify, the service should be provided when needed. I believe the Minister of State agrees with us on that point.

Has any calculation been made of the extra funding that would be required, over and above the current figure of €900 million, to fill the gap in order that the scheme would be demand-led and a service provided as required? Will the Minister of State also ensure the HIQA beds in the public sector are upgraded to the point where they would no longer be under threat? I understand there is a period of grace in which this could be done and that she is in the process of doing this. It is important that these beds are retained in the system in order that there will be no shortage of resources.

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