Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill, which will remove public inpatient charges that exist of €80 per day up to a maximum of €800 in a year. Medical card holders and certain cohorts are already exempt from these charges. The change is really good and it is important people will not feel when going into hospital as though they will not be able to pay their bill. There are significant challenges within the HSE given people are living longer, although it is great that is the case.

I was delighted to welcome the Minister to Carlow a few weeks ago. We spoke about Caredoc, which he visited, an excellent after-hours facility that does a great job.

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