Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
864. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a medical card application by a person (details supplied); if he will take into consideration the urgency in processing this application due to the fact that the person is applying on a discretionary basis due to their medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/17]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
