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Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2014

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Questions (215, 220, 233, 237, 238, 241, 243)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a review of eligibility for a medical card, previously refused on the income grounds, will be undertaken in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25033/14]

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Finian McGrath

Question:

220. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25051/14]

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Lucinda Creighton

Question:

233. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 is in no danger of losing their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25143/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be restored in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25177/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review-arrange for appeal or re-issue a full medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25180/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25194/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when provision will be made for the restoration of medical cards in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 220, 233, 237, 238, 241 and 243 together.

The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.

In this context, the HSE has decided to suspend reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.

The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.

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