Billy Kelleher
Question:417. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason applications for medical cards from persons, who are in receipt of assistance under the farm support scheme, are not being processed by the Health Service Executive unless the applicant can provide a notice of self-assessment (details supplied); the reason the Health Service Executive will not accept the fact they have little or no tax liability; the reason the Health Service Executive is determined to make these persons undergo this process and oblige them to employ a tax advisor or an accountant at a cost of €500 to prove that they owe no tax; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in view of this, many of these persons are not taking their necessary prescribed medication, such as for blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5665/15]
View answer