Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do. I will answer the questions relating to me and I will ask the officials from the HSE to answer the questions about staffing levels and stretch targets. They will also set out where we are at with the anomaly scans, although I would like to emphasise that the national woman and infants health programme is prioritising such scans. I want to see how much information the committee can be given here today.

On the provision of medical cards to those in receipt of domiciliary care allowance, I have not seen the answer that was mentioned but I want to make it crystal clear that there is no review. I intend to go to the Government in the coming days to seek permission to publish the legislation. I absolutely acknowledge the Deputy's point that all Members of the House have agreed that there may not be a need for pre-legislative scrutiny. I do not mean to be presumptuous about what the committee will do. If there is no pre-legislative scrutiny, we will be able to get on with bringing the Bill through both Houses as soon as possible. The HSE is working on the establishment of a portal to enable people to register for this scheme. In all likelihood, it will be similar to the system used for registering for free GP care for those under the age of six and over the age of 70. There is no review.