Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is my first time speaking since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people. I thank the Taoiseach for the opportunity afforded to me. I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. He and I have worked closely over the past two and a half years and we are continuing that relationship. We are well aware of the many challenges facing us.

As Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, I take this opportunity to warmly welcome the Bill, which provides a very welcome measure for older people in our society. Expanding eligibility for medical cards to this cohort is an important initiative in ensuring better health and active ageing for our older persons. It is my key priority to support older persons to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This can be made possible only by putting in place real and effective policies that enable older people to access high-quality care close to home, where feasible, to help prevent unnecessary admission to hospital. The correct wraparound supports are essential to enable older people to live at home safely and securely among their families and communities. This will be a key focus for me. This measure, which provides for a welcome increase in the gross income limits for medical card eligibility for persons aged 70 or older, is a key enabler in that regard. It will increase the number of people that can access a wide range of services in the community at no or very low cost.

I support the Minister's sincere acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by older persons in our society in response to Covid-19. Earlier today, on behalf of the Minister, I attended the funeral of Dr. Syed Waqqar Ali who lost his life due to Covid-19 while working at the Mater Hospital. He provided selfless emergency care in the accident and emergency department. Unfortunately, he succumbed to Covid and spent 92 days in ICU but, sadly, he lost his battle two days ago. To his wife, his three sons, his two daughters and his extended family I offer my sincerest condolences. This puts into sharp focus the seriousness of Covid-19. Anybody who is any doubt about that need only look to the absolute grief, hurt and upset it has caused to Dr. Syed Waqqar Ali's family. The Minister and I salute him for the work he did. He saved so many lives.

Accessing mental health supports will be key to enabling older persons to look after their mental health. Thus, public mental health services will now be more affordable and accessible for a greater proportion of older people as they become eligible for a medical card. As Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, I will work hard to support older persons and ensure better health and active ageing for older people.

GPs are at the heart of health service delivery in the community and are the gateway to accessing necessary health services. I am, therefore, pleased that the second measure provided for in this Bill is the further phased expansion of free GP care to children of primary school age. I acknowledge the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of schoolgoing children. I note a recent survey carried out by St. Patrick's mental health services found that 70% of parents are concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on children's mental health. Expanding access to free GP care for children of primary school age will, therefore, be important as GPs will play a pivotal role in terms of identifying mental health issues at an early age and signposting children and their parents to access the most appropriate mental health services in their communities first and foremost. As we all know, early intervention is key.

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