Mr. John Hennessy:

A specific procedure is in place to deal with emergency medical cards in cases of urgent medical need. The procedure and protocol overrides the normal application process and there is a turnaround period of 24 hours, generally, for the cards. The scheme is confined to very critical and urgent medical need which is where different interpretations may arise. I am happy to take the details of the case that Deputy McLellan mentioned and will go through it with her in detail.

A couple of other points were raised. The medical expenses and how they are handled was dealt with but I will explain it very briefly. The costs of medical treatment are calculated, usually, by the medical officer involved and are included, and added on, as an allowable expense in dealing with medical card eligibility. That is done with the knowledge that there are caps and maximum limits on people's outgoings. For instance, the maximum a household must pay for prescribed drugs and medicines is €144 per month. Plus there are maximum charge limits in our hospitals that apply to all citizens. The calculation of the costs allowable, for medical cards purposes, takes into account the caps and maximum limits that apply to all.

We are conscious of and trying to deal with the delay issues that were mentioned. At present there are a number of competing issues with the restoration of discretionary cards that may have an impact. The scheme is very big and covers almost 2 million people. It works quite well, believe it or not, for the vast majority of people especially when all information is supplied with the initial application. A completed application is turned around within 14 days. In instances where all the information has not been provided, or is unavailable, with the initial applications the HSE must seek in writing the required information or details and therein lies delay. The committee has visited Finglas before and the chairman of the PCRS office. We would be very happy to have a further meeting in Finglas, if that is appropriate, and will spend all the time needed to go through the cases.