Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate the Tánaiste and her Department on bringing forward the Bill so speedily. Many elderly people are in or waiting to get into long-term care hospitals and there is much confusion in regard to the current situation. While this problem arose almost 30 years ago, the Bill will resolve it once and for all.

We can get into the blame game if we want but that will not solve the problems for the many people who need the service. Following the court ruling, whatever charges are introduced for elderly people and their care will be put on a sound footing by this Bill. It has also been pointed out that the contribution made heretofore is approximately 10% of the cost of the care provided and I do not know anyone in a nursing home or anyone wanting to get into one who is not prepared to or does not want to contribute in a small way to paying for the fine service provided and the excellent way in which people are looked after. This problem has gone on for a long time and I am glad it has come to a head. We must deal with it. The Minister and his Department have worked very quickly to ensure we address the problem.

Some Senators have belittled the 200,000 extra medical cards. There are many people who would be glad to get such cards. Many people who are working and earning what we think is good money find it difficult to attend a doctor and pay perhaps €60 or €70 if their children or they themselves are sick. To many people that is a substantial sum of money which they might not have. People will be very grateful when they get these medical cards.

The refund scheme has been discussed in the House earlier. I agree with Senator Bannon that the help line is a problem for elderly people who are often left waiting. One can be lucky. I know people who have got straight through and have had their problems dealt with. However, many people wait up to ten or 15 minutes. Nevertheless there is on-line access too and forms are available via e-mail. Most Senators and Deputies now have those forms. Many people are asking how they can apply or contact the relevant section but the problems will be resolved quickly.