Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt the Deputy. As the Deputy also knows, the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, of the HSE has been showing a surplus because people were granted a card during times of unemployment but as they go back to work, the card is being returned when it comes up for review. While the Deputy is correct that there was an allocation of €10 million in the budget for this measure, let me point out there is a degree of head room, if I may call it that, in the PCRS Vote. The arbitrary date of 1 June should not be seen as such. I have asked the HSE to examine how quickly we can introduce this measure. It is based on two components, the first being legislative change. We need to change the law and no matter how straightforward the change is, it still has to go though the process and come out the other side. We start that process today in terms of the Bill being published. Second, is the system for people to apply for the medical card without having to go through the rigmarole of significant amounts of paperwork. I am happy to work together to get the system up and running.