MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has attempted to calm growing disquiet among Fianna Fáil TDs about the abolition of the automatic entitlement of the over 70s to a medical card.
Speaking in Brussels last night he said the Government had until January 1st to see if any anomalies were pointed out and they could then be addressed.
"It is not for legislation in the Finance Bill, it is not a tax measure on foot of the Budget, it is an expenditure decision arrived at by the Government," Mr Lenihan said last night.
"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."
Mr Lenihan added: "But the fundamental principle here is that there is an ongoing saving of €100 million as a result of this particular decision and that saving has taken place because obviously the State no longer has to pay the medical profession . . . in relation to particular patients."
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 decisions 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.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen in an article for today's Irish Times said he was aware there was concern about the changes in the entitlement to a medical card for people over 70. "However, I believe the changes are not unreasonable. The facts are: approximately 94 out of every 100 will get a medical card, a doctor's card or the €400 grant. The small percentage remaining will not qualify because they have a pension of more than €650 per week, which is equivalent to the average industrial wage in Ireland."
The plan was described as a "cruel measure" by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said nine out of 10 of the over 70s entitled to a full medical card on age grounds would lose it.