Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. He is always welcome to the Seanad and is one of our most frequent ministerial visitors, such is the pace of the work in the Department of Health, which includes the preparation of all the Bills he is bringing forward. This is a fantastic day. This short Bill is really significant for the people of Ireland. It speaks to the Minister's commitment, reflective of his core republican values, which are Fianna Fáil values, to the achievement of universal healthcare. The fees dealt with in the Bill can be significant for people, particularly for cancer patients, in a single year. It is fantastic to be debating these measures, for which the Minister will find wide support across the House. It is important that we acknowledge this fundamental shift in how we approach healthcare provision in this country, which is reflective of the universality towards which we are trying to move.

The Minister outlined a number of measures that have already been introduced to help families to reduce costs. We cannot overemphasise the importance of all those schemes and the cumulative effect they will have on household finances.Who would have thought a number of years ago that we would have free contraception for all people up to the age of 30? I know the Minister is committed to moving it beyond that. That is a radical step forward and is already saving people a lot of money every year. It is also an indication of where we see our health service and what we see as essential healthcare in this country. I thank the Minister for his commitment to that in particular.

With regard to State-funded IVF, everybody knows somebody in their family, community or friend group who has gone through the pain and trauma of infertility, infertility treatment and the costs associated with same. It is shocking that something has not been done until this point. We are one of the only European countries that does not have a State-funded IVF scheme. I am glad the Minister has taken that on board and is progressing a scheme because it is no longer acceptable. Infertility affects a large number of couples and there are treatments and solutions. It would help an awful lot of people at a difficult time if they could access those and not have to think about the cost of the treatment on top of it.

GP cards are being provided for more people, which is a movement towards greater access to health services. I mention the endometriosis treatment, the menopause clinics and the gynaecology see-and-treat clinics. The new medicine schemes and funding for new medicine are significant. I know that 35 children and their families are happy this week that they have access to the cystic fibrosis drug they need. I welcome that.

I pay tribute to the Irish Cancer Society and other patient advocacy groups that have called for this measure for a long time. I commend the Minister on moving this legislation forward.