Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To take the second point first, a circular is being prepared to be sent to GPs explaining the changes in the system, what is happening and what their powers are. The power to extend the medical card and to reinstate it in certain circumstances has been in place for some time, and it is used. The fact that it has been used in hundreds of cases indicates that some GPs know it exists and have been using it. It is also evident that some may not have known that it existed. Perhaps they did not get the circular or they do not know exactly under what circumstances they can use it, but we are trying to agree a joint circular with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on that and to have it done sooner rather than later.