Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on being appointed to his post. I look forward to working with him in a constructive manner over his period in government. I want to refer to timelines also. It was mentioned that any extension of the criteria for eligibility for a medical card for children and older people is very welcome. However, we need a clear and definitive timeline as to when that expansion will be delivered. We are living in uncertain times. People need certainty now. Covid-19 has shown the failures of the health system. I take this opportunity to commend the front-line health workers for all the work they have done and the service they have given to this country.

We must remove any obstacles in healthcare that hinder people in the context of getting treatment when they need it and where they need it. I support the Bill but I do not believe it goes far enough. It is a start, as the Minister said, but I ask that a clear and definitive timeline for its implementation be given. Otherwise, it will not be worth the paper on which it is written.

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