asked the Minister for Health why an application for a medical card from a person (name supplied) was rejected when in fact the circumstances of the case seemed to warrant the granting of a medical card; and if he will arrange for the Dublin Health Authority to reconsider this case.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Application.
82.
Applications for medical cards are made direct to the appropriate health authority and consequently information about the particular case mentioned by the Deputy is not immediately available in my Department.
I have, however, requested Dublin Health Authority to reconsider the case and let me have a report on it as a matter of urgency. As soon as I have received their report I will communicate with the Deputy.
Further to the Minister's reply, is he aware of the fact that I wrote to him personally about this case some months ago? I have today received a letter from the Dublin Health Authority in reply to my letter of 27th August, which was the same day as I wrote to the Minister about this case, and while he may have acknowledged the letter he has never replied in any great detail. I would ask him as a matter of urgency to look into this problem. I think this is a very genuine case. The medical card is required in respect of a mentally-retarded child.
I assured the Deputy that whenever I heard from him I passed on the information immediately.
I posted my letter to the Minister on 27th August and I got an acknowledgement but nothing further. This is November.
I want to repeat that if I heard from the Deputy with regard to this case on the 28th August I passed on his representations immediately.
The Minister said in the Dáil recently that a medical card application may take four weeks, or something to that effect. I have referred to this particular case about which I wrote on the 27th August. This is the 21st November, which is three months later.
I wish to make it quite clear that it is not my responsibility but that of the Dublin Health Authority in regard to the issue of medical cards. When I receive representations from Deputy O'Connell or other Members of this House I must apply to the Dublin Health Authority for information in regard to them. I hope the Deputy does not think there is any delay on my part.
Far from it, but I should like the Minister to make it clear to the Dublin Health Authority that they must act much more quickly than they are acting.