Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

Everyone is aware of the serious difficulties in respect of medical cards. The amendment refers to the fact that medical cards are the subject of a review process, which is welcome. However, this fact has not been communicated, as there are still long delays for those applying for a new medical card. Surely it would not be beyond our abilities to introduce an emergency system for medical cards. Such a system would be of assistance in a particular case to which I have previously referred in the House. It involves a man who, as a result of contracting diabetes, lost a leg last September. Between my office and his family, the relevant information on his case has been sent to the central unit on six occasions. On five occasions the information was lost. We are still awaiting an indication of what has happened in our sixth attempt. It is almost March and the man does not have a medical card. No one can stand over a system which gives rise to such delays.

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