The ICTU general secretary, Mr David Begg, warned the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, yesterday, that the cost of healthcare had become a crippling burden for many low- and middle-income families and people dependent on social welfare.
The congress had worked with the other social partners in the Medical Card Review Group and agreed to recommend that from January 1st, 2002, the income threshold for a single person should be raised to not less than €152 (£120) a week, Mr Begg informed the Minister - and up to €259 (£204) a week for a couple.
The review group had also agreed the threshold for children under 16 should be increased to €39 (£30) in Budget 2002 and then to €46 (£36) a week.
"We are disappointed that none of these recommendations were implemented in the Budget," he said. "Failure to adjust the medical card guidelines means that the benefits of improved tax and social welfare adjustments may well be neutralised for many social welfare recipients and workers."
The Government should take the recommendations of the review group on board and act now to prevent the exclusion of people already covered, the ICTU leader urged. He also wants eligibility for single people to the minimum wage level in the first phase.