Vol. 531 No. 4
85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the provisions in place to accommodate the extension of medical cards to people over 70 years as and from July 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5926/01]
137 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made with the IMO regarding the extension of the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6066/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 137 together.
The process of ensuring the introduction of automatic medical card eligibility to all persons aged 70 and over is already under way in terms of determining and establishing necessary management processes. The outcomes of those processes will, in advance of 1 July, be most visible at health board level where the operational responsibility for the processing and issuing of medical cards lies. Discussions are ongoing with the Irish Medical Organisation on the implementation of this decision. I am confident that agreement will be reached with the IMO which will facilitate its implementation with effect from 1 July this year.
