The decision to abolish the automatic entitlement of the over 70s to a medical card was a Government decision and will not be changed, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said today.
Speaking amid growing disquiet over the budget measure, Mr Lenihan said the new regime would come into force on January 1st. Asked on Morning Ireland if the regulations would be amended, Mr Lenihan said they would not.
The controversy spilled into the Dáil this morning with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny demanding clarification "about what amounts to the most stupid, callous own goal ever perpetrated by a Government on the elderly folk of this country".
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore opposed the normal order of business this morning "until the Government can remove the anxiety and uncertainty and worry that now exists for pensioners and older people across this country".
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, representing the Government this morning, said the Government had been condemned for not offering medical cards to “well-off pensioners, to senior civil servants, High Court judges, property tycoons, Ministers of State and hospital consultants.
“Now you tell me where there's fairness and equity in that?”
Mr Lenihan said he had previously pointed out that if there were any anomalies they would be addressed and insisted the decision had been taken at Government level.
“The Minister for Health Mary Harney explained the decision yesterday and I agree entirely with her. It is a Government decision. We are saving about €100 million as a result of removing medical cards from the top third of pensioners but two thirds of pensioners will still have the medical card," Mr Lenihan said.
He confirmed that six out of every 100 people currently covered by the free medical card for over 70s would not in future be covered.
“Those who have more than €60,000 in their joint income or more than €30,000 in their sole income will not qualify for a card or will not qualify for the €400 payment which will be available to reimburse medical expenses – that is the position.”
Mr Lenihan said remarks he made yesterday were not to be interpreted as meaning there could be change to the scheme before it is rolled out.
Responding to criticism from Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton, Mr Lenihan said: "I don't think we should be frightening pensioners about this."
Mr Bruton said those affected would "not only have the mat pulled out from under them in respect of their medical costs, they will also face a new 2 per cent levy on their income which they have been exempted from to date".
"This is an extraordinary decision targeting people who have a rightful expectation at this stage in their life that if they have been given something by the State that it’s not going to be pulled away from them," he said.
Mr Lenihan said last night that the issue of withdrawing the automatic entitlement to a medical card for over 70s was not for legislation in the Finance Bill, but was an expenditure decision arrived at by the Government.
"Clearly we have until the 1st of January next to work out decisions and I have no doubt that if there are any anomalies that can be corrected, the Minister will address them in preparing her scheme."
The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will discuss the issue at a special meeting today. A number of TDs expressed anxiety about the move at a party meeting on Tuesday evening immediately after the Budget.
The Budget decision means that 125,000 people over 70 will lose the full medical card, although most will be entitled to a GP-only card or a cash payment of €400 a year.
Fianna Fáil Chief Whip Pat Carey said today's meeting would provide an opportunity for TDs to get precise and accurate information about income thresholds under the new scheme.