Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. I wish to raise the issue of deceased medical card holders. I looked recently at the figures in relation to this issue and I was concerned to see a level, although lower than in the past, whereby the medical cards of the deceased were continuing to run up costs for the taxpayer. Mr. Burke supplied the figures. Of the 17,059 medical cards, 2,361 belonged to deceased people. As far back as 2003, the then Comptroller and Auditor General had referred to the costs of medical cards being paid for people who had been deceased for up to 14 years. Will he outline the present position?