Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

To answer Senator Browne, this is a new system and will be under constant review. The Government is anxious that the uptake rate of 200,000 people uses up the €60 million provided this year, as it is intended to spend every cent of that money solely on the doctor-only card. The Government is certain this new scheme will work well and it will be kept under review. This side of the House does not hold a monopoly on wisdom and will listen to any proposals that people wish to make. Such proposals could be of assistance to families, particularly those with two or more children doing exams in a single year.

To address the question of phasing in, once the legislation has been passed the Government will make every attempt to try to have the cards issued as quickly as possible. However, some people may make an immediate application while others may be awaiting the results of an application for a full medical card. As such, we do not expect all the cards to be issued on the first Monday of the month in question but over a period of time.