Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and wish him well in his new portfolio. Everyone across the country is wishing him well for the coming months. It is important to acknowledge the welcome news about Covid-19 and the reduction in the R-nought number. It might be early stages yet, but this shows that the cautious approach the Minister recommended to Cabinet last week was correct. That will be judged again come 10 August, but the signs are improving and that brings confidence among the public that the measures and the cautious approach they are taking is working. There was a growing sense - I am sure the Minister got it in recent weeks - of a little pessimism that a second wave was almost inevitable no matter what we did, but the numbers over the past two days show the impact we can have in fighting this virus.

I am not as cautious as my colleague, Senator Martin. I fully support the Bill. It is very welcome and continues on from progress that was made before this Government was formed. I am particularly pleased with section 2, which seeks to increase the limits for those aged 70 and older from €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. I think every public representative has come across cases of people being at €920, €925 or just barely over the rate who have totally missed out. Obviously, that will happen if we increase the rate to €1,050, but it is a large increase. I agree with some of my colleagues that it should be reviewed.As Senator Cummins said, that should be reviewed more regularly than every six years. However, it is encouraging to see and it brings a certain level of comfort to people who need it.

It is encouraging to note, in sections 4 to 6, inclusive, the extension of free GP care, which is currently available to children under the age of five, to those aged six and seven in the first instance, with a possible phased extension to children under the age of 12. These measures will bring approximately 300,000 additional children into the system. That is to be welcomed but the key is to bring that in as quickly as possible. I know the Minister has challenges in his Department but that one is vital. Through my experience of the health service since the birth of my first child six months ago, I have witnessed at first hand the talent we have in the health service, from maternity care to aftercare. The policies we have brought forward for GP care provide reassurance that if anything happens to a child of that age, money is not a barrier to helping the child.

A week or two ago I was contacted by a mother who was hesitant to bring her daughter who was quite ill to the GP, essentially because of cost. She did not realise at the time that, because of the age of the child, she was entitled to free GP care. It subsequently transpired that the child has a long-term illness but it is manageable. If we are introducing these measures, it is important to get the message out about them as quickly as possible. I am sure the Department will highlight as much as possible that free GP care is available for these children.

I fully endorse the legislation. As the first Bill the Minister has brought to the House, it is very good and I wish him well with it.

If I may, I will make a point on a local issue in Tipperary, on which I am aware the Minister has spoken previously. St. Brigid's respite and palliative care facility in Carrick-on-Suir, like many facilities across the country, is being used as a step-down facility for recovering Covid-19 patients. The Minister's predecessor, Deputy Harris, gave an assurance that it would return to its original use after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people in Carrick-on-Suir are concerned about when that will happen. I know that question is almost impossible to answer because it depends on the progression of Covid-19. I have been working closely with a local councillor in the area, Councillor Mark Fitzgerald, to try to give as much reassurance as possible but it would be much appreciated if the Minister could give a reassurance that the facility will return to its original purpose. Very good people work in the facility. People in the town and local area understand the need for it. I would be grateful if the Minister could respond on that. I support the Bill.