Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government, underpinned by a Sinn Féin motion which received cross-party support, commits the Government to the granting of an automatic medical card for children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance. The Taoiseach has told me repeatedly that it is on its way. Yet, this morning representatives from Our Children's Health were on the streets outside the Department of the Taoiseach once again protesting for something which the Taoiseach stated they would have shortly. I have a simple view of the matter. Sinn Féin included this as a commitment in our alternative budget and it was costed by the Department of Finance at €17 million, but €10 million was allowed for it in the Government's budget. The Taoiseach has never had any intention of implementing it. He is delaying because the money has not been put aside. It is cruel. These people cannot wait any longer.

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