Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, I am here representing the Minister for Health. I am glad the Deputy accepts my bona fides on this matter because I have spoken to the Minister about it and we are very anxious to make progress on the medical cards. Currently, 75% of persons aged over 70 have a medical card and if the potential beneficiaries, which could be up to 56,000 people, materialise then an increase in the income thresholds would result in over 88% of this cohort being eligible for a medical card. It is an important health measure which will provide medical card eligibility to a greater proportion of people over 70. All I can say here today is that I will continue to push this issue with the Minister. We are in an unprecedented times. Over €600 million has been allocated today for supports which will be seen in the next week or two. The Deputy has a guarantee from me that I will continue to push this.

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