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

There is a juxtaposition of very healthy children getting free access to GP care but very sick children aged over six still being denied the medical card, which could provide a significant degree of security and reduce worry and stress levels. It would also be of practical help because of the frequent visits to GPs and the need for medication arising from this condition.

The Taoiseach did not answer the core question of how we can justify this as a society and children like this can be left in such a position. The Taoiseach apologised and promised flexibility with respect to medical cards.

These cases do not illustrate any such flexibility or common sense being applied to genuine situations.

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