Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the indication that there is improved processing in terms of the Finglas operation. I welcome once again, as was advised to us on our recent visit to Finglas when we met Mr. Patrick Burke and his staff, that the powers have now been given to general practitioners to extend medical cards beyond the expiry date where, for whatever reason, the person concerned was unable to respond to the review process because of a medical condition or social circumstances and where there was a clear error that the doctor can confirm. Are there any statistics on the take-up of that? I know that correspondence only issued a few days before our recent visit to Finglas at the end of last month but is there any indication even at this point in time of the take-up by general practitioners of this option? Has the Minister any feedback from the profession?

May I use the opportunity to ask if serious consideration is being given to extend that power to general practitioners in the cases of people who are terminally ill and those suffering from lifelong, non-recoverable illnesses because this continual review process is very frustrating when somebody is sadly trapped in a situation that will not change for whatever life expectancy they may have. It can be very upsetting, and we have all had experiences of that. It would be a huge advance if that, too, could be granted to general practitioners and the need for a review every so often for people in end of life situations and those suffering from lifelong illnesses.

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