Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2011
628 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the proposals he will put in place to expedite the time frame associated with the processing of medical card applications; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some instances applicants are waiting for up to four months for assessments to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21985/11]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has centralised the processing of all new applications and renewals of medical cards at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Finglas, Dublin with effect from 1st July 2011. Applications received prior to the 1st of July are being processed locally. The new system will mean all complete medical card applications and renewals will be processed in 15 days, which will deliver an improved service to the public. The executive has stated that there is no backlog of work in the central office and all complete medical card applications and reviews are being processed within 15 working days or less.
