Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

Operation of the Medical Card Scheme: Discussion

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am going to say to the Cathaoirleach, as I finish because I assume my time is up, that again we are hearing about a promise of a review and a promise of changes. The issues with this scheme are long-standing. The crises that I have been hearing about in respect of public dentistry, orthodontic waiting lists, medical card holders' access to the scheme and the resourcing of the scheme are long-standing. A recognition by the Minister in the Department's opening statement does not cut it. We need a resolution in the same way that we need a resolution on the engagement with the IMO on expanding medical card eligibility, for which we democratically voted in the Oireachtas. There does not seem to be an urgency around reviewing this scheme. I ask again, through the Chair, that we write to the Minister for Health and state that we need urgent negotiation with the Irish Dental Association in order to resolve this issue. It is unacceptable that public patients are not getting treatment they need or access to a service because the scheme is not fit for purpose. I do not hear an urgency coming from the HSE or the Department. I ask again that the members present at this meeting agree - we can discuss the matter later in private session - to write to the Minister to express concern for the operation of this scheme.

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