Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Higgins for allowing me to speak on this issue. As the Minister of State is aware, this was the subject of an Adjournment debate I put forward some months ago. I reiterate my call on the Minister of State today to revisit the whole situation for cancer sufferers. The Minister of State will be aware that when a person is diagnosed, the word "cancer" drives terror into the hearts of people and often they are fearful that they will be unable to be provided with the medication necessary to help them to overcome this terrible illness. It is a great concern for people.

The guidelines for medical cards are so low that people on an average industrial wage or low-income families do not qualify unless they have a mortgage to offset it. They are very concerned. This has escalated over the summer and people have found themselves terrified that the will be unable to afford the medication. In the Minister of State's reply to me at the time he stated that there were many other illnesses that would have to be considered as well if we considered cancer. However, many of the very bad illnesses are considered long term and those suffering have a long-term illness card whereas cancer sufferers do not. I call on the Minister of State to revisit this and perhaps to give a directive to the medical card office to ensure that all cancer sufferers are looked after with the medical card.