Medical Card Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Questions (132)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

132. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 828 of 27 May 2014 and 950 of 17 September 2014, in respect of the reference in the reply to emergency medical cards being issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details, if he will report on the circumstances under which a medical card would be issued in an emergency and the procedure to be followed by a patient to have a medical card issued in emergency circumstances. [38439/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I understand that the HSE issued a reply to Questions 828 and 950 directly to the Deputy on 2 October 2014.

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this further 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.