Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The person who was speaking obviously had VHI or private health insurance.

The value of a GP card should not be underestimated. It has been glossed over by the Opposition in this debate, but it is a very important support for the elderly. I have spoken to many people who depend on their GP for advice and support when they are worried about an aspect of their health. Free GP services which are part of primary care services ensure there will be no barriers to accessing care. They will ensure early detection of health issues and prevent them from becoming more complex and expensive to deal with and, more importantly, becoming a worry for the individual in terms of consultant visits and hospital care if medical conditions are allowed to get out of hand. The provision of free GP care is very important from that point of view and the matter should not be glossed over or dismissed as the Government ignoring the elderly because it is not. It is also making provision for children under six years of age. The introduction of these measures in the recent budget will ensure 93% of the population aged over 70 years will have cover. Combined with the coverage of children aged under six years, this means that half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. It is a significant improvement and I commend the Minister for it. He is very committed to the provision of primary care, which is essential in preventing a medical condition from getting out of control. Free GP care provision will be very important in that context.

It is important to mention that this country looks after and respects its elderly. The income limits for people over 70 years of age are considerably greater than those for somebody aged 65. There are also the taxation measures for people over 70 years. The treatment of income from capital in terms of savings or investments is exempt where the value of the capital does not exceed €36,000 for an individual or €72,000 for a couple. There is also free travel, as well as a free television licence. I acknowledge that the telephone allowance was removed in the budget, but that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has increased funding for alarm systems is welcome. These measures are in recognition of the fact that elderly people living alone must be supported in their communities.

While nobody likes removing any provision, the point must repeatedly be made that only 7% of people aged over 70 years, a very small number, will not have access to a medical card or free GP care after the enactment of this legislation. I wish the Minister well in his work in ensuring that by 2016 we will have access to the best primary health care facilities in the world.