Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is more than welcome to the House. This is a really important piece of legislation, which I welcome. As a parent and father, this issue about the cost of care for children is huge for Irish society. There is a fear out there more than anything else. It is the fear of what it could cost rather than what it actually will cost. We are taking the fear out of that today, which is a really positive step. This is part of a suite of measures that are coming into place. I often listen to the older generation, in particular, when they talk about the reduction in the prescription fee. Bringing that allowance down to €80 a few months ago was a really significant change for the cost of living for these people as well.Considering what we are now doing for the younger generation, it is a really positive step forward. It was mentioned that we should perhaps at look at expanding this in time. It is a great step forward.

Like all of us, I look at my children and want them to leave home. I do not think any of us will see that happening. If anything, I think our children will be staying at home for longer than we want them to. The cost of removing inpatient fees for those up to the age of 18 is something that we will have to look at in time. That is part of the way society has moved. When our children are leaving secondary school after six years, they are nearly 19 years of age. They are a part of our family units at a primary level until they leave school. I think that this Bill is a great step forward. The measures on contraception services shows how Ireland has changed. It really has changed. Ten or 20 years ago, such measures would not have been introduced. Now the expectation is that services should be provided. That shows how we have matured as a nation and a people. I am delighted that the legislation is being passed. It ties it all in together. I thank the Minister for bringing forward the legislation. I hope that it passes all Stages today and goes on to be enacted.