Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:548. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [24636/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 June 2014
548. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [24636/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24637/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra550. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra551. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra552. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be immediately returned to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24640/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra553. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24641/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra554. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24642/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra555. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24643/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24644/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24645/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra559. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra560. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24648/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be returned immediately to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24799/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 to 560, inclusive, and 573 together.
The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.
In this context, the HSE has decided to suspend reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.
The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.