Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Almost 2 million of the population, or 43%, are covered either by a medical card or a GP visit card. As Mr. O'Brien stated, there has been a 74% increase since 2005. The question I came with today relates to the hardship issue. On grounds of hardship, the HSE can apply discretion and grant a medical card. Mr. O'Brien stated here that, as of 1 October 2013, 52,733 medical cards were issued where the applicant's means were above national guidelines and 22,115 GP visit cards were granted. These numbers seem high and are good. This is something that I did not hear previously. That was one of the questions I was going to ask today. I also welcome that a medical doctor will assess these discretionary medical cards. How many doctors are employed to assess the discretionary medical cards?