Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2017
241. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when legislation will be brought before Dáil Éireann to enable children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance to receive a medical card automatically, as announced in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10520/17]
View answer243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the automatic medical card scheme for children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10524/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 243 together.
I have received permission from Government to publish the Health (Amendment) Bill 2017 which will enable the granting of full eligibility for general practitioner and other health services to all children in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is paid. Granting a medical card to all children in respect of whom a DCA payment is made will benefit approximately 9,800 children in this cohort who do not currently qualify for a medical card. The legislation will begin its passage through the Oireachtas next week and it is hoped to complete all Stages before the end of March.
The HSE is also finalising the administration processes that need to be in place so that the proposal can be implemented in a smooth and efficient manner.
