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

Sometimes the public gets very frustrated when we have the Opposition motions we do not agree with, but then they see the countermotion put forward that leads to a Bill like this. In March 2023, the Government approved a countermotion to a Private Members' motion regarding the eviction ban which included a commitment that the Government would extend the rent a room scheme disregard for social welfare recipients, extend the disregard into medical card criteria from 1 May 2023, and allow local authority tenants to access the scheme. Now, with this, the objective of Government is to provide for a disregard of up to €14,000 income for anyone eligible for rent a room relief. The income will not be assessed within the medical card assessment process. People come to my office and tell me that when they try to rent a room, especially in County Carlow, where we are crying out for student accommodation, they are losing their medical cards because they are going over the limit. That is so important. People now have a fear of losing their medical card.

I always say to people that a medical card is like a gold card. It is so important now to have a medical card because a visit to a doctor can now vary in price from €60 to €75. That is a lot of money. I always say, as do other people, that a medical card is like a gold card. I have long argued that medical cards need to be automatically issued to anyone with cancer. I have spoken to the Minister several times about this. I had a few cases in recent months of cancer patients who, God love them, did not qualify for the medical card. However, in the end, when they could not go back to work after many months, they did get them. This issue needs to be looked at.

The other issue is for people with dementia. Many of them are forced to jump through hoops. I especially think those on low incomes who want to better their circumstances by offering a room for rent should not lose such a vital support as the medical card because, as I said, it is so important.

The second aspect of this Bill deals with the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 and allows pharmacists to sell and supply approved medicines without the need for a prescription. This is really good judgment. I note the medicine substitution protocols on this and that there is a time-limit basis. The other thing is that it is related to measures to best support the national system for the management of medicine supplies so that there is enough for those who need these medicines. I understand the Minister is aware of this, and it is so important. My community pharmacist in Carlow is Kevin Kelly, whom Deputy McGuinness might know. I would put all my trust in him, as I know others do. He gives advice regularly and is always very positive. I also know there are many more pharmacists around the country doing the same. This is a really positive move. As the Minister knows, because I am constantly bringing it up, we have a huge shortage of GPs in Carlow as well as throughout the country. This will be a great help and I will absolutely support this Bill.

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