Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the Bill, which will allow for some the provisions of budget 2017 to be introduced. I fully support the provision of a medical card to all children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance. Domiciliary care allowance is granted to children aged under 16 years with a severe disability who require ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. Children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance are some of the most vulnerable children in our society and it is only right that we provide them and their families with as much assistance as possible.

More often than not, a child who qualifies for domiciliary care allowance also has complex medical needs and, therefore, parents are burdened with high medical bills. The introduction of medical cards for all children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, regardless of means, will be a great relief to many parents and families. In line with this, I urge the Government to introduce medical cards to all adults diagnosed with cancer. I ask that the Minister make this his priority in the next budget. In the past year, I have come across numerous constituents, many of them just over the income threshold, who have been diagnosed with cancer and who are struggling greatly to pay for their medical bills. At a time when they are at their weakest and trying to fight this awful disease, they are burdened with trying to fill out paperwork and prove their eligibility for a medical card. This causes extreme stress and undoubtedly interferes with their recovery. We all have people calling into our constituency offices with serious cancer issues who have been refused a medical card. It could not be more heartless in a desperate time for these people.

I fully support the reduction in prescription charges for medical card holders over 70 years of age. It is great to see a reduction of 50 cent per item down to €2 and the maximum monthly cost reduced by €5 down to €20 per person or family. It is a positive step towards eliminating the charge in the future, for which I commend the Government. The reduction shows the Government's support for one of the most vulnerable groups in our society and it will, no doubt, reduce elderly poverty.

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