Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State's response was predictable, although I do not say that in a disparaging sense. My experience in pursuing cases differs somewhat from the situation set out in her response.

We must examine this problem. We need a special arrangement and a clear understanding for families in traumatic and stressful situations. The patients' priority is chemotherapy and they hope that they will recover over time. They should not need to worry about supplying supporting documentation to the HSE. We need to remove this stressful element from the equation.

I do not suggest that open-ended cards should be granted. Cards should be granted for specific periods to allow for reviews of the circumstances involved. Will the Minister of State ask the section of the HSE that deals with medical cards to examine its arrangements for processing applications?

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