Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

11:10 am

Photo of Diarmuid WilsonDiarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On a positive note, I commend the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for the second day in a row for his initiative in respect of the pyrite problem, which has been raised by the leader on this side of the House since this Seanad came into existence. I am glad that this will come to a satisfactory resolution. I also take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the late Shane McEntee, in respect of this problem and the progress he made.

I did not get an opportunity to speak about the budget last night. The decision to increase the prescription charge fivefold is a mistake and will cause hardship to many people. Travelling to work this morning, I listened to an individual who will find it very difficult to cope as a result of this measure and is in a desperate state.

The decision to cut €113 million from the budget for medical cards is another retrograde step at a time when we will give free GP care to all children under five years of age. I welcome that measure but it should be means-tested. People who are in a position to pay for medical expenses for their children should pay for them. It should not be at the expense of more vulnerable people, particularly elderly people.

In respect of the decision to remove the bereavement grant, I spoke to an undertaker from the country last night. I was shocked when he told me that a large percentage of the people with whom he deals depend on that grant to pay funeral expenses. I understand that the average funeral down the country costs between €2,500 and €3,000 and that the cost of a funeral in Dublin is far more expensive. At a time when so-called well-to-do families who find themselves in a financial crisis must bury a loved one, the grant of €850 is no longer available to them. This will cause hardship and could cost the State far more because the State will have to subsidise funerals in the future. That is a fact.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.