asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has a medical card is entitled to have vouchers issued to her, or to a refund of the expenses involved in travelling to Dublin for medical treatment.
233.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
232.
asked the Minister for Health whether persons (details supplied) in County Cork who have medical cards are entitled to have vouchers issued to them or to be refunded the expenses involved in travelling to Dublin for medical treatment.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
Inquiries have been made of the Southern Health Board regarding the two cases mentioned by the Deputy. With regard to the person referred to in the first question, the health board say that they asked her to submit evidence of the expenses incurred or a note from the hospital to enable them to consider the question of a refund of travel expenses but to date such evidence has not been submitted.
With regard to the person referred to in the second question, the Southern Health Board indicated that they are satisfied that the circumstances were such as to warrant only the recoupment of the cost of overnight accommodation and taxi fares in Dublin and not the cost of the travel by car which was provided by a member of the family.
In general possession of a medical card does not automatically entitle the holder or dependents to free transport for medical treatment. Each application for free transport is treated on its merits.