It looks like there could be more controversy this week as the Health Minister Leo Varadkar has introduced new legislation that will see Asylum seekers currently living in direct provision in Ireland and who currently have a Medical Card being exempt from paying prescription charges.
The news will most likely spark outrage amongst the rest of the Irish public as every Medical Card holder currently pays a standard charge of €2.50 per item. Minister Vardakar says the exemption is being put in place so that those currently in direct provision will relieved of some of the financial burden.
However the news will be welcomed by many asylum seekers who suffer with chronic health issues as they had previously been required to pay the prescription charges out of an weekly allowance of just €19.