Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome to the House my good friend and colleague for many years, the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, and I congratulate him on being elevated to a very important position. I know he will give it 100% commitment as he did to everything he has done over the years.

I had submitted this particular Commencement Matter for consideration last Wednesday week but that Seanad was abandoned that day. It had been accepted and I have been submitting it since. Luckily enough, it was accepted today. The reason I tabled it in the first place is because those aged over 70 now have a legitimate expectation that they will receive medical cards. In the budget last October, there was a commitment that there would be a change in the criteria for those aged over 70 with regard to qualification for medical cards and that it would come into operation on 1 July. Many old people were waiting to apply for their medical cards on 1 July. What happened subsequently was that the Dáil was dissolved but apparently legislation was required for this to happen. In July, in the last week of the first term of the new Dáil, the Seanad passed the necessary legislation to facilitate the Minister signing the regulations to change the criteria. My question is very simple. When will it be done? Why have we had this delay? The legislation was passed on 31 July. It is now 25 September and, as of yet, there is no indication whatsoever for the thousands of people aged over 70 who are waiting patiently to apply for their medical cards. The primary care reimbursement service is telling people it is not aware of this change and has not been given any indication. On what date will those aged over 70 be able to apply for their medical cards under the new criteria? Senator Wall will speak about those who are terminally ill for whom this debate is equally important. I look forward to hearing the reply.