Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2007
256 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on including the cost associated with obtaining a doctor’s letter to renew a driving licence for pensioners over 70, within the benefits of the medical card in view of the financial burden older people are faced with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19727/07]
View answer275 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is equitable that persons over 70 years of age have to obtain a letter from their doctor to renew their driving licence but same is not covered by a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19815/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 275 together.
The law provides that persons aged 70 years or more are required to undergo a medical review for driving licence renewal purposes. As you will be aware, this requirement is one which is determined by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and is therefore outside the responsibility of my Department.
In making arrangements for the provision of publicly funded GP services, under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, an agreement was negotiated between the Department of Health and Children and the GP representative body, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO). The provisions of this agreement took the form of the current GMS GP Capitation Contract. This contract is a treatment-based contract and gives effect to the statutory requirement to provide GP medical and surgical services without charge to eligible persons; this includes persons aged 70 and over, who are automatically entitled to a medical card. The contract stipulates that the fees paid to GMS GPs are not made in respect of certain certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences". As these non-treatment type services are outside the scope of the GMS GP contract, it is a matter between the GP and the person seeking the particular service to agree a fee.
While certificates for various applications are provided by medical practitioners, they are not a medical treatment service and are not considered a core aspect of public health service provision.
