Medical Card Applications Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2015

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Questions (159)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to clarify, further to his response to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 9 July 2015, the number of applications for medical cards and general practitioner visit cards where eligibility was granted, in each of the past 12 months to date; how many of the applications resulted in full medical card eligibility; in general practitioner visit card eligibility only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33673/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I understand that the Health Service Executive corresponded with the Deputy on 22 September last detailing the number of medical card/GP visit card applications received and the number of medical card/GP visit card applications where eligibility was granted for the period August 2014 to July 2015. The HSE has been asked to further 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.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.