Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Conway mentioned savings being achieved and obviously that has not occurred, due to Covid. As was said, currently 75% of people aged 70 and over have a medical card and if the potential beneficiaries of this measure - an estimated 56,000 people - materialise then an increase in the income thresholds will result in over 88% of this cohort now being eligible for a medical card. The Senator suggested we stop the active consideration and making a commitment and I will bring that back to the Minister. There is no doubt, however, that this would prove to be a very beneficial measure for these additional eligible persons who will now have access to a range of health services at an affordable level. It is therefore important to assure Senators Conway and Wall that decisions on the associated funding for this measure and a potential implementation date for the commencement of this provision are being actively considered. The Senators want a commitment which I cannot give today but I will bring it to the Minister.

It should be noted that the programme for Government, Our Shared Future, also includes a commitment on the matter of medical cards for terminally-ill patients and a further update will be provided on this to Senator Wall once the report of the clinical advisory group has been fully considered. I take the Senator's point that this could cause a lot of pressure and undue hassle for a 69-year-old man who had just spent five months in hospital and I hope it will be resolved.