The implementation of the 1996 Budget provision concerning the retention of medical cards by persons who have been on the live register for at least 12 months and who take up paid insurable employment and also to participants on approved schemes aimed at the long-term unemployed is a matter for health board chief executives, who have statutory responsibility for the administration of the medical card scheme.
Since the 1996 Budget provision took effect a number of problems relating to its interpretation and application in particular circumstances has come to light. To address these issues a joint working group between my Department and the health boards was established to examine the issue and to clarify the guidelines on eligibility for retention of medical cards. In July 1998 the report of the group was approved by health board chief executive officers who have statutory responsibility for the administration of the medical card scheme. The chief executive officers asked the group to prepare revised guidelines based on the report. These revised guidelines have now been agreed by the group and arrangements are being made to have them circulated widely. The report also recommended improved training for staff. In this context, in association with the revised guidelines, a more detailed manual for staff will be prepared.
My Department has recently been made aware of the content of a survey carried out by the INOU based on phone calls to a number of health board offices. Details of the results of the survey have been circulated to health board chief executive officers.
