Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, or the Minister of State at his Department, Deputy Perry, to come before the House to discuss the Action Plan for Jobs for next year, which is currently in preparation? Everybody will agree that the budget introduced yesterday is excellent in the context of job creation. I know that Members across the House will welcome the retention of the 9% VAT rate, the abolition of the airport tax, the anti-fraud measures relating to VAT, the start-your-own-business schemes and the changes to capital gains tax to encourage investment. Many of these ideas and initiatives came about as a result of consultation engaged in throughout the country, particularly by the forum for small business established by the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Perry. We are aware that for every person who obtains employment, the State saves €20,000 per year. I welcome the various initiatives to which I refer and I am of the view that we must explore the options which exist in this regard even further.

Senator Darragh O'Brien stated that a review of a person's medical card actually means that it is going to be withdrawn. The reality is that it is just that, a review. Some 1.9 million people have medical cards and reports indicate that more than the figure to which the Government has referred in this regard is being paid to GPs in respect of people who are not using their medical cards. I am sure the Deputy would not advocate paying GPs in respect of a facility which is not being provided to anybody.