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

We do accept, in terms of the provision of medical care, that there is always an element of universality in some decisions, but when the Minister of State is making a decision to rule out further additional universality, this has an impact in other areas. There is no point in saying otherwise.

We should be clear. There has been a change in how the Department is assessing discretionary medical cards. There has been a substantial increase in the number of discretionary medical cards awarded. The reason is that the policy the Minister of State was pursuing until the U-turn was wrong. It was wrong, unfair and inhumane that we were taking medical cards from the most vulnerable and the sickest in our society while at the same time outlining plans to give free GP care to others. I have no problem giving it to the others, but those who deserve it most should get it first, and then, as resources allow, the roll-out must happen. At least the Minister of State is now acknowledging that the issue of discretionary medical cards is a central one. The awarding of medical cards to vulnerable sick people is humane, compassionate and fair.

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