Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I hope I will get those figures. I have been told that the agency cost of non-consultant hospital doctors in particular is significant. The Minister tells a good story about medical cards. Unfortunately, I do not believe him because what he has said conflicts with what I see on a daily basis in my clinics around Tipperary and what I am told by other Deputies on what they hear in their clinics around the country. In one case a child with hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, who is wheelchair bound, was refused a medical card. I also seek clarification on how the medical assessment is done by the PCRS. I am aware of two cases where the applications have been with doctors since 7 October and have not been finalised. I heard what the Minister said but, unfortunately, I do not believe him. I am certain there has been a policy change on discretionary medical cards on medical grounds.