Medical Cards.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2010

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Ceisteanna (52)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

42 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being encountered by persons in accessing information and having their applications processed through the centralised medical card system; if she will reconsider the plan to fully centralise the system in 2010 in view of the difficulties encountered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6965/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I fully support the Health Service Executive's decision to centralise the processing of all medical card applications and reviews. I wrote to all Oireachtas members on 19th January 2010 outlining a range of measures being employed by the Executive to address issues arising from this initiative and I also referred to the various enhancements that this process will facilitate upon completion.