Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Both of us were of the class of 2011 so I got to know him very well in the Houses. The one thing I always admired, and still admire, him for is his extremely sharp intellect, coupled with his compassion. He is certainly well qualified for his brief. I have known his aunt in Clare for practically all my life and I know how proud she is of his appointment. We all are delighted for him and wish him the best. We will be happy to give any support we can to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in this extremely important role.

It is fitting that the first Bill he brings to the House is one to open access for young people and old people to healthcare. That is important. I believe it is one of the last legislative measures approved by the last Government and the Bill is now before us. As I said, it is very appropriate that this should be the Minister's first Bill. As we have seen, the history of medical cards and eligibility over the years has not been pretty. We saw the controversies that occurred, particularly in 2013 and 2014 when medical cards were taken from children with disabilities. That should never have happened. We have learned as a society and as a political system from those terrible experiences. We are building a system that is fit for purpose and for our healthcare service in the future.

Anybody who needs access to healthcare and cannot afford it should automatically get it. Equally, people with a terminal illness should have access to a medical card straight away and not be put through hoops to get it. Every Member in our work in constituency offices has dealt with people who were diagnosed with terminal cancer.Every one of us has experienced the challenges in advocating on their behalf to get them the medical card. This should not happen. I believe in the principle of universal healthcare. Even more I believe in the principle of giving immediate access to people who need it immediately. That is equally important. I still do not believe our system is foolproof in that regard.

The Minister may be aware of John Wall, a man with a terminal illness in my county of Clare, who has campaigned tirelessly in recent years to reform and improve the medical care eligibility structure, and how the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, PCRS, engages with people. He has had success with some of his initiatives.

We also need to consider the associated benefits that a medical card brings and the confusion it can create. Far too often I have dealt with people who have applied for a medical card not because they are ill or may become ill, but because having the medical card will secure other benefits, such as bus tickets for their children going to school. We need to decouple that system. Let the medical card stand on its own. It has its own critically important purpose. Somebody should not need to have a medical card to qualify for school transport or other benefits.

I would be shocked if anybody had any problem with passing the legislation. This House has always come together on matters of important legislation and everyone will recognise the benefits of this legislation. In summing up, the Minister might outline what will happen when the legislation is passed. What is the timeline to get it enacted? When can a couple aged over 70 whose income is €920 expect to have a medical card? Ultimately, we will pass the legislation, which will be signed by the President. At that stage it is up to the departmental officials to implement it.

It is an absolute pleasure to see the Minister in this role in this House. I look forward to working with him in future.