Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The increase amounts to €156 per annum. Senators should bear in mind that €1,200 per annum has been taken from pensioners through the removal of free telephone allowance and other allowances.

On child care, the expansion of the early childhood care and education scheme is not what it seems because the scheme only applies for three hours per day and 38 weeks of the year. This measure is completely unsatisfactory as it will not suit single parents or anyone else. It is a fraud. The announcement regarding the National Asset Management Agency is only one side of the coin.

The other blatant issue is the free medical cards that will be provided to children aged between six and 12 years. The Government did not engage in negotiations on the issue with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO. I recall that the current Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, was president of the IMO when a Fianna Fáil-led Government introduced a free medical card for people aged over 70 years. He ground down that Government by securing gold-plated medical cards and ensured that it paid for its decision to make an announcement before negotiations had taken place. The current Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, will not be in situto implement the decision on medical cards. He stated yesterday that implementation will be subject to negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation. The IMO will screw the next Minister, as Dr. James Reilly screwed the then Fianna Fáil Government. That is my warning on this matter. This budget will collapse because-----