Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for bringing this really important Bill to the Seanad. While it is a miscellaneous provisions Bill and contains various measures, each one is very important. The enhanced role for pharmacists is something for which a number of Senators have been calling for a long time because we are aware of the pressures GPs, particularly those in urban areas, are under. This frees up time and gives a greater role to our community pharmacists, who, as the Minister pointed out, are highly trained, highly educated and based in every community throughout the country. This measure is fantastic. It will save people money and make accessing healthcare far easier. It is to be welcomed.

Another really important measure is the exemption of income up to €14,000 for individuals under the rent-a-room scheme. People, particularly in urban areas, who are in receipt of or eligible for medical cards or GP visit cards and have capacity in their home would like the company and extra income but are afraid about how this might affect their medical card so this is really welcome. It is progressive and shows that this Minister and Government are agile, can adapt to change and see how measures they take will affect housing. This is to be welcomed. It is great that this is before us and I look forward to it being enacted and the measures being in place.