Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I noted with interest yesterday and this morning the remarks of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on the Government announcement of free general practitioner care for over 70s. It would be welcome if we knew when it was going to happen and if we did not have a scenario like the free GP care for children under aged six, which was announced over two years ago but which still has not actually materialised. Is this something the Government intends to keep re-announcing? The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, said this morning that there was no agreement with GPs either on children aged under six or people aged over 70.

I would have thought the priority for the Government was to ensure that those who require medical cards and treatment get them as opposed to promising things that will never happen in future. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach remarked yesterday, there are still people over 70 who are having their medical cards removed. There are still children with serious illnesses who cannot get the treatment they require. There is still a situation in Dublin where there are no early intervention teams for children with special needs who require needs assessment and occupational therapy. Since June 2012, not one child has been added to the waiting list for needs assessment.

What is the position with free GP care for children aged under six? Is there a date for this to start, or are we to have it announced again in the pre-election budget in October with a view to getting it up and running before the general election? What is the position with the over 70s free GP care that the Government is referring to?

This situation needs to be cleared up once and for all. It has been announced on several occasions. With that in mind, I will provide assistance to the relevant Minister, whether the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, or one of his Ministers of State, by proposing that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, come to the House today and give an update on the position of free GP care for children under six and Government plans for over 70s free GP care. I propose that amendment to the Order of Business and that an hour be set aside for that debate.