Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement of the relocation and upgrading of the National Maternity Hospital. On a number of occasions I have asked for a question and answer session with the Minister for Health. We would like to raise a number of issues and the opportunity never arises when dealing with legislation. As Senator Aideen Hayden pointed out, today is the closing date for registration for local property tax. I would like the Minister for Health to agree to allow property tax as an expense when assessing eligibility for a medical card. I would like him to come to the House and provide us with the detail on the number of applicants under the three year leave of absence scheme in the health service, tell us if all applicants will be facilitated and whether there will be cover for the people concerned during their leave of absence. I would appreciate it if the Leader asked the Minister to come to the House for a question and answer session.