Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim chomhghairdeas leis. I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment to office. I am sure he will be a great success in his new role.

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"notes with approval the unprecedented levels of growth that have been and are being experienced in the Irish economy and the consequential rise in employment levels. Seanad Éireann also notes, that a consequence of these higher employment levels is that fewer people qualify for medical cards and commends the Government for its measures which enable persons returning to the work force after long-term unemployment to retain the medical card for three years and for its commitment in the programme for Government to extend medical card eligibility further.

I welcome the debate and look forward to the contribution of the new Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. She excelled in her previous portfolio and I am sure she will have the same level of success in her new position.

I agree with the Minister's recent statement that we must reconsider the question of medical card eligibility. It is far too low and has undoubtedly slipped back significantly in recent years. Senator Ryan stated that GP consultancy fees have increased substantially, which is the case. However, it is important to note that the Government introduced the minimum wage for the first time although I do not claim that this is wonderful as it should have happened long ago.

It is also important to note that medical cards are an income-related facility. In tandem with the provisions of section 45 of the Health Act 1970, the chief executive officer of a health board has certain discretionary powers in regard to those who exceed the guidelines, which were reviewed in January last. The question of medical evidence plays an important part in the case of those who are ineligible for a medical card due to a medical condition. Even where the medical evidence precludes the applicant from qualifying for a medical card, the chief executive officer can, if he or she considers there is financial hardship, grant a medical card.

For those who do not qualify for a medical card, there are schemes such as the long-term illness scheme and the drug payments scheme. Many allowances such as carer's allowance, child benefit, domiciliary care allowance, family income supplement and foster care allowance are all disregarded when determining a person's eligibility. Given these factors and the discretionary powers of the chief executive officers, having an income that exceeds the guidelines does not mean that a person not eligible for a medical card will definitely not be awarded that card. In over 25 years in public life, I have dealt with many cases in which a claimant was outside the guidelines but, because of financial difficulties, was allowed a medical card.

Students who are financially independent of their parents are also entitled to apply for a medical card in their own right. There was a time when students were entitled to a medical card but a Labour Party Minister for Health discontinued this.