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10 April 2013

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Health Ministers let HSE sneak in new Medical Card cuts during Dáil recess

'We'll wait till the Dáil closes and let the HSE take the flak' – Health Ministers James Reilly and Alex White

‘What is another cut to health services has been sneaked in while the Dáil is in recess’

FINE GAEL AND LABOUR have been accused by Sinn Féin of using the Dáil recess to “sneak in” extra restrictions on Medical Cards this month.

Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD added that the effective cut was made through a Health Service Executive announcement to Oireachtas members rather than by a public statement from Fine Gael Health Minister James Reilly or his Labour Party deputy, Alex White.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said:

“According to the HSE, it is amending the eligibility criteria relating to Medical Cards by removing Home Improvement Loan payments and excluding the first €50 per week from travel-to-work expenses from the standard Medical Card means test assessment.

“This further restriction follows the recent legislation which lowered the income threshold for Medical Card qualification for people over 70 years old.

“What is, in reality, another cut to health services has been sneaked in while the Dáil is in recess and announced through a HSE e-mail to Oireachtas members rather than a public statement from a Government minister.

“Health Minister James Reilly and Minister of State for Primary Care Alex White are emulating their predecessor, Mary Harney of the PDs, who regularly hid behind the HSE when such announcements were made.”

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