Medical Card Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Questions (725)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

725. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the hospital fees incurred by a cancer patient (details supplied) in County Cork during the lengthy processing time for a medical card application which was successful will now be cleared by the Health Service Executive; if so the timeframe for same as the pressure is causing tremendous stress to the person who is currently undergoing extensive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.