Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies McGrath and Costello for raising this Adjournment matter, which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the HSE, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The HSE, through its service plan for 2009, advised the Department of Health and Children of plans to introduce a centralised national processing centre for medical cards and community drugs schemes as part of the executive's value for money programme. The decision to centralise the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications and renewals to the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, in Dublin was in the context of the executive's requirements to make efficiencies in business practices that could realise savings in a very challenging economic environment and provide a modern service to the public within sustainable levels of expenditure.

The initial phase of the centralisation process commenced in January 2009 with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The second phase commenced in September 2009 with the transfer of the case load from two local health offices in Dublin City to the PCRS. The phased implementation has allowed the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising. Under the centralisation plan, the HSE's local offices will continue to provide the public with assistance and information locally on medical card eligibility and making an application. They will also provide information on the current status of their application or review.

In June 2010 the HSE introduced a new website, www.medicalcard.ie, which enables people anywhere in the country to apply for a medical card through a simple and efficient application process. Phased implementation of the centralisation project will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising. To date, the central PCRS office processed over 232,461 medical card applications and reviews of which 7,023 were unsuccessful, 186,512 medical cards were issued and further information is awaited in respect of 14,141 applications. Some 7,534 applications are currently being assessed.

The Minister for Health and Children in her letter to all members of the Oireachtas on the 19 January 2010 stated she fully supports the HSE's decision to centralise the medical card and GP visit card application and review process to one location. The HSE has advised that when fully implemented this measure will deliver a number of improvements for medical card applicants. Under the new arrangements, the HSE will improve turnaround times for the processing of applications. The aim will be a turnaround time of 15 working days or less, with provision for emergency applications to be dealt with immediately.

See this speech in context