Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The director general of the HSE is examining the issue of discretion in the awarding of medical cards. The HSE set up a group to review how to meet the needs of those with life-long medical conditions, of whom the number is significant. The Minister for Health will report to the House on that review in due course.

There were 620 commitments in the programme for Government and of these, 144 were completed, substantial work is underway on a further 236, some progress has been made on 168 and there are 67 commitments upon which work has not started at all. In the case of my Department, 40 commitments were made in the programme for Government, of which 17 are complete, 14 are well under way, some progress has been made on five and four have not been started at all. Obviously, the next report will be released in March.

The Government decided not to proceed with the plan to give medical cards to all those on the long-term illness scheme because it would have involved considerable legislative difficulties and created a huge administrative burden for what was always intended to be a temporary measure before providing free GP care for all and moving to a system of universal health insurance. I am happy to investigate the two cases raised by the Deputy. If he gives me the details, I will see that the cases are at least explained because what the Deputy outlined should not have happened.

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