Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with my colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick. I thank the Minister for bringing this welcome and progressive legislation to the House. I believe it deserves, and will have, broad support from the House. The Minister has a personal commitment to better access to public healthcare and this allows people to access healthcare at the point of entry with GPs throughout the country. It is very welcome. As a mother of two young children who has been fortunate to avail of free GP care since the day they were born, I am happy that this will continue for parents in Ireland.

The pandemic has impacted disproportionately on families with young children. This is a welcome measure for those families and gives them some extra relief. What used to happen is that parents would perhaps second-guess things and take a chance. We all know that children's health can deteriorate very quickly and if one takes a chance because one cannot afford €50 or €60 to bring a child to the GP, it can have devastating consequences for the long-term health of the child and the well-being of the family unit. This provision is therefore very welcome, as is the expansion of the income limits for people over the age of 70 years. Those people have contributed a great deal to this country and it is a good step to acknowledge that their needs are greater as they get older and to acknowledge the contribution they have made to the country.

The GPs of Ireland have played an amazing role over the past few months dealing with queries to their surgeries, assessing whether people need to be tested for Covid-19 and much of the time reassuring people that perhaps they do not require testing. They have been doing a great deal of work and, hopefully, in conjunction with today's measures, the Minister will be able to give extra support to the GPs who need it.

I am glad to support the Minister today and I thank him for the work he has done on this Bill and for the work he will continue to do. I wish him the best of luck in his role.