‘Targeting the most vulnerable’

“We are told that medical cards are not being taken away, that there is no cull. But when you look at what is happening, to my son and to other children with Down’s syndrome, it is hard not to feel that they are being targeted as the most vulnerable.”

Yesterday, feeling she had no other option, Noreen Keane left her office in Limerick, picked up her son Ronan from community care and stood with him outside the South Court Hotel, hoping Enda Kenny would spot them on the way into his party conference.

But, after they had waited for more than two hours, the Taoiseach was driven straight past them as Noreen shouted “give us our medical card” twice. He looked straight ahead.

Earlier, Health Minister James Reilly had also been driven past, ignoring her as she said “medical card, medical card”. He glanced at them and then looked away.

Ronan, 8, needs special care and constant attention.

Born with Down’s syndrome, he also has chronic asthma, needing two inhalers, daily nebulisers, and other medication. He has thyroid problems, skin conditions requiring specialist lotions, hearing loss, and sight difficulties. He also has an eye infection at the moment.

His medical card — which he has had since he was born in 2005 — was withdrawn when it was up for renewal last December.

In March, when Ronan was in hospital with bronchitis, Noreen appealed the decision. “A massive compilation of information was submitted. It was very comprehensive, short of telling them what we had for breakfast,” she said.

A letter arrived from the HSE at the end of September, saying it “found no reason to overturn the original decision” because “no undue hardship will be incurred on you” as a result of losing the card.

Noreen begs to differ.

“It’s been incredibly difficult,” she said.

“Extremely distressing and extremely stressful.”

Noreen is a single parent, working while Ronan goes to school in the morning followed by after-school community care in the afternoon.

“Without the medical card, my childcare costs have doubled,” she said. “We got a lesser rate because of the medical card, now we have to pay the full rate.”

Ronan needs about 15 GP visits a year, which cost €60 each. His medication costs €150 a month.

His mother has had to pay €195 for his glasses because he needs specialist, bendable frames He needs new orthotics footwear, which costs €300, to help him walk and balance properly.

Noreen pays for biweekly speech and language therapy sessions, occupational therapy, and psychological supports for him because the services provided by the State are not adequate to meet his needs.

“I have to pay for all that medication and double childcare,” she said. “I’ve had to cut back on any extras, like dance classes that he enjoyed and helped his mobility, and may not be able to bring him as frequently to speech therapy, things like that.

“I have no choice but to go without everything else. Bills are being left on the long finger; I live off my overdraft.

“Minister O’Reilly and Enda Kenny both said in the Dáil that approximately 22,000 of people who previously received discretionary medical cards now qualify on means basis. What about those of us who don’t?” she asked. “I’ve a good job, as a public servant, and a reasonable income, but my outgoings are massive.”

The card was granted eight years ago based on Ronan’s medical needs, and not on his parents’ financial means.

“My income isn’t massive. I am a single parent. When he was originally awarded his medical card we were a two-income family and my income was far greater then.

“The big question I keep asking is why, why we are being assessed on means when it was originally given to him on a discretionary basis. Why give something to someone at birth and take it away without any undue justification?”

She wrote to Mr Kenny on Sept 23, saying: “I can’t begin to tell you how distressing this is.” She added: “Please Mr Kenny, do not let my child’s needs, as one of the more vulnerable in society suffer as a result of the cutbacks and austerity... I voted for Fine Gael in the last election and now feel cheated as I was assured on the doorstep my child’s medical card would not be taken.”

She received a response from the Taoiseach yesterday, but said it was not to her satisfaction.

So, for the first time, she and Ronan took placards in their hands. “I’m the last person on earth who would consider picketing or campaigning,” she said.

“But I am my child’s advocate. He’s aware that we have to fight for his medical card and that’s really important for him. He’s a fabulous little boy and all he needs is support to do well.”