Mr. Kieran Healy:

The expert report and the Prospectus-Deloitte review of the process have recommended greater connectivity between the centre, PCRS, the national medical card unit, and the local offices. We recognise that the good part of processing in terms of centralisation must be matched with a wide footprint nationally so that people can access advice and information on how to apply and the eligibility criteria at local level. We recognise this. In terms of the recommendations from both reports, we have already begun an engagement with the staff at a local health office level and staff in the acute hospitals sector, mainly medical social workers who are a first point of contact for people in the hospital setting. Medical social workers provide advice that a person in particular circumstances should apply for a medical card. We are endeavouring to do this in particular with local health office staff, but it is not just with them. We are also inviting local public representatives to come to those information exchange sessions.

We are also inviting GPs and their staff in order that we can explain the complexity of the assessment process and provide clarity, as we are trying to do today, on some of the complications in establishing eligibility and the documentation required to provide us with a seamless way of assessing the application form. As we communicate better with local offices and push out the information, we hope it will be more freely available to a wide range of stakeholders, including public representatives who we know have direct contact with the public and those who come to their constituency offices on a daily basis. The more we can provide clarity on the assessment guidelines and the legislation underpinning what we do, the more we hope the communication approach will improve the information available.