Medical Card Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015

Thursday, 2 July 2015

Ceisteanna (190)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

190. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of cases received by the Health Service Executive where a doctor certified that a person should be granted a medical card on discretionary grounds, since the Taoiseach’s comments in Dáil Éireann on 18 June 2014, and where a doctor certified that a person should be granted a medical card and home help hours on discretionary grounds and, in the case of both of the above, the number of such cases where a medical card was granted or a medical card and appropriate home help hours were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26890/15]

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.