David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think those over 70 will take any comfort from the fact that this might be addressed again in this year's budget. I do not doubt the Minister of State's sincerity or her association with this issue. The problem is that last year, in my constituency and around the State, Government Deputies were going around saying that this was one of the great things they had in the budget. They said that more people over 70 would get medical cards, as would seven and eight year olds, but that has not happened. We are now hearing that it might happen and it might be in this year's budget again. The fact is that the money should be provided to make it happen. Parents have contacted me whose children have passed the age of six and are now seven or eight. They say that they were promised this and were told it was in last year's budget. They are asking what is happening. The negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation on this matter have not even occurred. The Minister has not even started discussions with the medical organisation to see what can happen. We need more answers and more clarity than "may" or "might", given that this was in last year's budget and was voted on by this House.

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