Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Ceisteanna (423)

Regina Doherty

Ceist:

423. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who has always contributed fully to pay as you earn, pay related social insurance and the universal social charge, and who is now living with a permanent colostomy bag as a result of extensive surgery to remove a malignant tumour, is entitled to a discretionary medical card on the basis of medical grounds and the permanent change to that person's body and not on the basis of that person's means. [9217/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 has issued to Oireachtas members.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.