asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the decision of the Eastern Health Board to cancel a medical card for a person (name supplied) in Athy, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Medical Card Holder.
53.
The granting or refusal of a medical card is a statutory function of the chief executive officer of a health board. I have no authority to intervene in the exercise of this function in relation to individual cases.
I got a communication from the health board indicating that the reason for the refusal of this card——
Could we have a question, Deputy?
Yes, I shall come to that. The reason indicated was that the applicant's mother owned a farm and that it was likely he would inherit it. If that is the thinking of the board, surely the Minister would have some function in changing that? Would he not agree that if he examines the circumstances and realises that this young man is working on his mother's farm, married and living away from the farm——
The Deputy is embarking on an argument.
Is not the likelihood of a future inheritance a very flimsy reason for refusing anyone a GMS card? If we persevere in this attitude would we not also be entitled to refuse those who have a ticket in the Irish Hospitals' Sweep on the assumption that if they were in they might win? Would the Minister like to comment on that?
I have a certain amount of sympathy with many people who have been refused medical cards. I will not necessarily go into detail in this case. As I said in my reply, this is a statutory function of the chief executive officer. I have no power to interfere. There are people who would say that there should be an appeal to the Minister for Health. I do not know in this case whether there was an appeal to the CEO. I do not think it would be feasible for any Minister for Health to adjudicate on any appeals that might be made in respect of medical cards.
I am sorry to interrupt the Minister but I must advise the House that the time for questions has expired.
Could I conclude on this one?
The Chair has no discretion to extend the time for questions.
It would be tantamount to asking me to adjudicate on, say, unemployment assistance appeals. As I said in reply to another question, I believe that there should be some method whereby there could be an appeal, and that certain factors which had been ignored should be taken into consideration, and that there should be a certain amount of latitude in the issue of medical cards where there are special circumstances.
It is past 4 o'clock.
It seems ludicrous——
I am sorry, Deputy O'Connell. The Chair has no discretion to extend the time for questions as laid down by Standing Orders and by agreement of the House. I must now call on the Taoiseach to announce the Order of Business. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.