Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

It would be worthwhile to request the Tánaiste to come into the House for a debate on the current position. Such a debate should take place in-house within the Health Service Executive because the practice of the yearly assessment of medical cards is unnecessary. Every year people's eligibility for these cards is reassessed. Why could the staff engaged in that work not be reassigned to implement the Government's decision to refund nursing home residents? It is not rocket science. There is a question of confidentiality involved. This work should not be given to a private sector company, rather it should and could be done in-house. It would be worthwhile to introduce a bonus scheme in this respect.

Furthermore, will the Leader arrange for an early debate on the announcement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, in regard to SSIAs? His announcement of the introduction of a pension scheme to provide for those who pay the lowest level of income tax is worthwhile. We should promote that scheme. Hundreds of thousands of young people have no private pension scheme. The introduction of this scheme presents a great opportunity. Furthermore, for those who would wish to retain their SSIAs, a roll-over facility should be provided to enable them to reinvest——