Dáil debates

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

3:50 pm

Photo of Eamonn MaloneyEamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In common with other speakers I welcome this initiative. I thank the Minister and his Department for progressing both of these initiatives as they apply to children under six years of age and adults over 70 years of age. No one is arguing on this side of the House that this is some sort of revolutionary change in the whole health system but it should be acknowledged that given the economic climate and the difficulties with the finances, it is an achievement that we can make any progress in the area of health.

It is also an acknowledgement by the Department that not every adult over the age of 70 years has the financial resources to go to see the GP when he or she wants to do so. Likewise, all of us who are practising politicians understand there are families with children under the age of six years who have the same difficulty. They may wish to take their child or children to the doctor, but that is not always possible if one does not have the money to do so. There are hard-pressed families who are in that position. The Bill acknowledges this, which is the progressive element of the Government's policies. It is an illustration of a society that is more caring in the health area, which is good.

Some very positive contributions have been made showing much common sense, but I am always amazed at the level of begrudgery from some Opposition Members towards any initiative, whether it relates to health, education or job creation. Certain speakers, some of whom may have been here for a long time - perhaps for too long, but that is another matter – appeared to be in a delusional state and to think nothing had happened in this country seven years ago and that people had money at the bottom of their garden. I heard people talk about various issues, including trolleys and waiting lists. Any politician with a morsel of sense would not come to the House to criticise the Government for what it was doing to improve the health system. They act as if nothing happened, as if young people volunteered to emigrate and others to stand in the queues for the live register. I am appalled at the naked begrudgery and lack of acknowledgement of what I consider to be a modest but important health initiative.

I am trying to avoid references to areas about which other speakers have spoken. However, I must acknowledge one initiative which bears repetition, given the incidence of asthma in the country. I commend the inclusion in the GP contract of an agreed cycle of care for children diagnosed with asthma and the annual review of children diagnosed with asthma. It is an extremely important measure. The Minister is better qualified than I - I am sure he will correct me if I am wrong - but to the best of my knowledge, the incidence of asthma is very high in particular among the working class or poorer people. There are a variety of reasons for this which we will not go into, but in my constituency I am aware of more than one family with two or three children with asthma. The asthma care programme is one measure which will be welcomed by families who find themselves in that predicament.

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