David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three issues to raise. I join colleagues in congratulating the primary care reimbursement service on the good work it has been doing.

The first issue concerns the justice aspect. If somebody is declared bankrupt, his income drops. While he may have a very good job, a certain amount of his income is taken away by the financial institutions, thereby resulting in a net income that is quite low and which can remain so for at least eight years. I am told gross income is taken into account in a medical card application, which does not reflect the reality. It might be an issue that has not come across the delegates' bows yet but they might examine it. The incidence of this problem is increasing and it is causing hardship for people. Some have informed me the gross income is taken into account by the service, not the real net income after the banks or financial institutions have taken their cut.

Second, I understand that in the case of people under 23 who are living at home and who wish to apply for a medical card, it is the whole family that makes an application. There is no way in which the individual can make an application on the form as it stands giving the household income. One way out of this might be to have a different form for such people so that the household income could be included initially rather than having to make two applications. The current methodology is quite cumbersome.

Third, where somebody with a serious illness and who requires treatment straightaway applies for a card, there might be a delay for a number of months. In the meantime, the individual incurs significant expenses. Reimbursement occurs only when the card is granted. Is there any way of backdating? I am told it is not possible. I ask the officials to consider backdating to the time of application, especially if significant expenses have been incurred in the interim by somebody with cancer or some other such condition.