Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are here to discuss just exactly what this enhanced medical card will be for the survivors of mother and baby homes. I know the issue has been ongoing for a long time. Unfortunately, when I say it has been going on for a long time, I mean that none of these people are getting any younger. I am being constantly asked when this enhanced medical card is going to be given to survivors, what it covers and more importantly, what it does not cover. I am being asked for an actual date for its release. I contacted the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth a number of days ago because elderly people are contacting me about the matter. One issue that was mentioned in relation to the enhanced medical card was cataract operations. Unfortunately, I have been told by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that that is not going to be covered.

As I said, I am here today to try to get clarity for those people who will have underlying conditions, whether it is diabetes or whatever else. I am trying to get clarity for them in order that they will know, without fear, what they are actually covered for with this enhanced medical card. It is putting stress on people. Indeed, some of the people I have spoken to have said they are holding back in the hope that the card will come sooner rather than later. Of course, these people do not have a lot of money and probably do not have the means to travel under the cross-Border healthcare directive for specific treatment. I said that I would raise the matter here in the Topical Issue debate to try to get clarity on what is coming down the road and to alleviate any fears for these people. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response.

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