John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for permitting me to raise this matter. There has been a great deal of talk in recent weeks, both in this House and outside it, regarding changes in social welfare provision and how they affect older and vulnerable people. The issue I wish to raise is related to that debate but not directly relevant to the budgetary provisions, namely, the delays being experienced by applicants throughout the State regarding the granting and renewal of medical cards.

The Minister referred in the Chamber last week to the huge increase in the number of medical cards issued in recent years as a consequence of the changed economic climate. I do not mean it as a criticism of anybody working in the medical card processing system in observing that the service seems to be overwhelmed. This is causing additional trauma for applicants, particularly elderly people and those with ongoing medical issues. The application and processing system was centralised during the summer, which we were told would offer enhanced efficiency and quicker processing times. That does not seem to be happening. Instead we seem to be facing a situation similar to that which arose at the Passport Office.

I ask the Minister to address this issue as quickly as possible. Members on all sides of the House are being contacted by constituents experiencing delays in the granting and renewal of medical cards. People come to us because they find it difficult to get information directly in regard to their applications. We are often the first port of call for distressed constituents. We would all like to see a system that works well and would not require our intervention. I have spoken to people who, having sent in information that was requested following an application, are told when they contact the central processing centre some weeks later that there is no record of the information being received. Other constituents who have appealed a decision to the appeals office in Donegal are told by staff there that the relevant file is in Dublin, only then to be told by staff in Dublin that it has been sent to Donegal.

I was prompted to raise this issue by a case of which I became aware five or six weeks ago which serves as an example of how the system is failing to respond in a timely manner. The person who contacted me had a family member who had been diagnosed with cancer and was deteriorating rapidly. Under the previous system, local knowledge would have ensured that a medical card was granted quickly. Under the new system, however, that did not happen, and the card was only finally issued a week after the person was buried. In another case I spoke to a couple who had been granted a medical card at the beginning of 2011. However, when they tried to fill a prescription some weeks ago, the pharmacist told them the card was invalid, a development of which they were not informed. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, will address these issues in her response.

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