Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. I thank him for bringing forward this Bill which is a major step in providing redress for the women who were in the Magdalen laundries. Nothing was done for them, even though they had suffered for decades. The Government has now faced up to the issue and the Bill should be seen in a positive light and as a good step in dealing with the issue.

The Minister of State has outlined what is included in the Bill. Among the services included are GP services; prescribed drugs; medicines; dental services; home help services; nursing services; counselling services; and a range of others to include chiropody and physiotherapy. The impression has been given that it was proposed to exclude a great many services.

The Bill provides for an exemption from charges for acute inpatient services. It also provides thatex-gratia payments are not to be taken into account when the women concerned are being assessed for the nursing home support scheme. It makes provision to support those who are now living abroad by having a specific point of contact for them in the HSE.

There was reference to the fact that the Bill did not provide for the provision of care for those who did not have the capacity to make the necessary applications. The Minister of State has said the women concerned are already covered by section 21 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 which provides for the appointment of a care representative. There is provision in separate legislation, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013, which has already been brought before the Dáil. Many of the issues raised are covered by legislation. However, there are areas of concern that we need to discuss, but we need to be positive that the right decisions have been made in the Bill. This issue was ignored for too long, but now we have a positive to show that we care and are taking account of the issues raised. The Minister of State has provided a comprehensive overview of the Bill. Of course, we must deal with the issues raised by Members, but let us acknowledge that the Bill is a positive step forward.