Waiting lists and pandemic targeted in plan
A HEALTHCARE package of €23.4 billion has been unveiled, with the Government vowing to tackle growing waiting lists and continue its ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said this year’s budget allows for the “continuation” of the “very high level” of investment in the State’s healthcare system.
Minister McGrath revealed that free GP care will be extended to more than 400,000 people, including all six- and seven-year-olds by the end of 2022, and those on or below the “median level of income”.
He announced that charges for inpatients will be scrapped.
Irish Cancer Society’s Director of Advocacy Rachel
of €500 in November – while the threshold has been raised by €40.
Young people will also see a once-off reduction of €1,000 in Student Contribution fees for those eligible in 2022-2023.
They will also get a once-off double payment of SUSI.
Before announcing the measures, Minister McGrath told the Dail: “We know that many of our people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet, face difficult choices in their daily lives, and are seeing their household bills rise seemingly by the day.
“We know that many are genuinely worried about what lies ahead.”
Childhood Services Ireland, the Ibec trade
Morrogh said: “After many years of campaigning to reduce the costs carried by cancer patients, the Irish Cancer Society welcomes today’s momentous announcement that hospital in-patient charges are to be abolished.”
Meanwhile, a publicly funded IVF treatment system was also announced, and the new free contraception scheme has been
association for childcare providers, said it was a “good start” but said there was “a long way to go”.
Director Darragh Whelan said: “Dramatically increasing Childcare Subsidies with an additional investment of €121million is a good start and something we called for in our Pre-Budget Submission, but there is a long way to go for the childcare sector.
Hammered
“All our members are still being hammered by inflation and are unable to raise fees.
“One of the biggest issues is availability of childcare places and we would encourage the Government to make it more attractive for extended to all up to the age of 30.
€225 million will be invested in “tackling waiting lists”. Up to €58m will be invested in mental health services, while €138m will be earmarked for disability services.
The ongoing response to Covid-19 pandemic will receive €439m towards PPE and testand-trace facilities.
providers to open more services.’’
Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon said families of secondlevel students were “left behind.”
He said: “The free schoolbooks scheme only applies to primary schoolers, even though second level costs are much higher.
“Nothing has been done to help protect the thousands of families incurring these exorbitant costs.”