Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to private health insurance, as have a number of Senators. It is important and everyone agrees the health insurers should drive down costs. The Minister should outline his plans for universal health insurance and provide an update in early course. I would prefer if he did so in this House. I will ask the Minister to communicate his plans in that regard.

With regard to free GP care for those under five years of age, the Government is embarking on a major reform of the health system and the aim is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance where access is based on need rather than ability to pay. A number of important stepping stones are necessary to pave the way for the introduction of universal health insurance. Delivering the first phase of the GP care to children up to five years of age in 2014 is a major step.

Every parent and grandparent knows the early years of family life are very expensive and we know the hard-working parents of 240,000 children will now be reassured that they can bring children to a doctor without having to pay for each appointment. Internationally, Ireland is only taking the first steps to catch up with the standard practice, which is clearly evident in western Europe, of operating a universal GP service.

Following settlement of the health Estimate, the Minister for Health secured additional separate funding of €37 million for the introduction of free GP care for those under five. The Estimate is fully costed, based on current rates of reimbursement to GPs under the general medical services scheme, including capitation fees, practice support costs and other claimed costs. It is estimated that this measure will bring the proportion of the population with access to GP services without fees to almost 49%. Legislation will be required for the introduction of this reform, which will commence in the Department of Health. That should answer Senator O'Brien's query.

Senator Bacik welcomed the fact that over €200 million in finance from Europe was announced yesterday for the youth guarantee, which is to be welcomed. Senators Bacik and Moloney also outlined the plight of children in Crumlin hospital and the delay in providing home care packages. That is a disgrace and should be acted upon as a matter of urgency. I welcome Senator Barrett's comments regarding health insurance and I hope we can have a debate on that. I understand that the McLoughlin report is due in a matter of weeks.

Senator O'Neill complimented the Garda on the work done in Operation Fiacla, which has resulted in over 7,000 arrests and over 4,000 people brought to court. The Minister for Justice and Equality has indicated that all necessary resources will be provided to combat a spate of burglaries, and I join in complimenting the Garda for the efforts in this regard. I certainly agree with some of Senator MacSharry's comments, and spending over €13 billion on a health service should be more than sufficient to fund a world class health service. There is no question about that. I also note Senator Harte's points in that regard.

Senator Norris asked that the issue of universal health insurance be referred to the health committee, which is probably an appropriate venue for such a debate on policy. He complimented the people within the health service who provide such wonderful care for people who are in hospital. I note his points on the clogging of accident and emergency units, which has been going on throughout the length and breadth of the country. It is disgraceful that people with anti-social characteristics are terrifying people who are ill and waiting for a proper service.

Senator Conway spoke about proper regulation of the charities sector and implementation of relevant legislation. Senator Cullinane asked a question regarding the health service plan and the HSE has up to next Friday to submit the 2014 national service plan to the Minister for Health for consideration. After that date, the Minister has 21 days to either approve or seek an amendment to the plan. Senator Burke pointed out the plight of junior doctors, as he has done consistently in the House, outlining that steps are in place to address the problem, which should have been dealt with many years ago. He also called for a debate on community care, which we will try to arrange with the relevant junior Minister.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about youth unemployment and the youth guarantee. I gave a comprehensive reply to that on yesterday's Order of Business and put the correct figures on the record of the House. I remind the Senator we were losing 7,000 jobs a month on the watch of the last Government. Senator White commented on Irish Russian adoptions. It is disgraceful to suggest that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, who has taken a personal interest in the problem, is not working sufficiently in order to solve the problem.