Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not know why they are not available. Obviously, we have had arguments and discussions in the House about the medical card system in the past couple of months. The Deputy is aware that for many years the system for allocating medical cards was based on income and that discretion applied where undue hardship was affecting the circumstances of any individual. Discretion was exercised, depending on one's circumstances. The Minister for Health has put in place a clinical panel to examine how medical cards might be given to people based on medical circumstances, with conditions attached. I do not know why the papers to which the Ombudsman referred are not available. The law never changed all along in using income as a basis for the allocation of medical cards and in respect of the system under which a medical card could be granted to an applicant whose income was over the limit in circumstances of undue hardship. I will have the matter checked for the Deputy, but I cannot answer his question. I do not know why the papers are not available. There has been no change in this regard since the 1970s, which is why we are moving towards an examination of the issue by a clinical panel of experienced personnel.

On the other matter mentioned, it is a serious issue. The matter is being dealt with seriously by the Minister for Health. Obviously, he wants to deal with it quickly.

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