Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Thank you Chairman. I thank Mr. O'Brien, Dr. Mc Loughlin and their teams for their patience during what was quite a lengthy suspension. We will now switch our attention from bailout exits to medical cards. The conversation we have had so far this morning has been helpful and constructive. The figures Mr. Burke provided on the review of discretionary medical cards and how that breaks down, with a high level of detail, were very useful by way of providing a context.

I ask the witnesses to outline the communication plan that is now in place with regard to medical cards. When the HSE makes any announcement about changes to income limits or eligibility criteria, a fear sets in and that can be particularly acute in the context of the vulnerability of the people concerned. In that context, I know the HSE has put in place a communications plan and I ask the witnesses to outline the content of that plan and to elaborate on how it is progressing. Has there been much contact with the public?