Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 6, after line 48, to insert the following:

"(c) The minister shall, on a monthly basis, lay before the Dáil a report on the number of persons who have notified the Health Service Executive that their gross income exceeds the relevant gross income limit in accordance with paragraph (b) above.".

I regret that amendment No. 11 has been deemed out of order as it would have reversed the Government's decision to take medical cards from persons over 70. It is clear from today's discussion that the Government is not prepared to accept any amendments in the Seanad. That is unfortunate, as some of the amendments would have reversed some of the damage that has been done by the decision. For example, if the amendment had been accepted it would have also dealt with discretionary medical cards.

Amendment No. 12 is in line with some of the earlier amendments. Its purpose is to seek to have a report made to the Dáil and Seanad on the number of people being excluded from the medical card on a monthly basis once the legislation is enacted. When the letter is issued asking persons to declare their means in order to find out whether they are eligible to retain their medical cards, it would be important to hear from the Minister on a regular basis. The amendment seeks to provide information to the Houses on the number of persons over 70 who are being excluded from the medical card scheme according as it is obtained. We need that information because there is much disagreement about the number of people affected by the Government decision. The situation is far from clear. The Minister of State is aware of the significant disagreement about how many persons will lose their medical cards once the returns are made by individuals. She said today the letter will be sent out in January. This is an information exercise on the impact of the Government's decision to withdraw the medical card from over 70s.