Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will certainly speak to the Minister for Health about that. As the Deputies will be aware, the Minister is currently launching the new cancer strategy. It is still supposed to be the case. Somebody who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is dying is still supposed to receive a medical card automatically. I was not aware of any change in or any problems with regard to that. I have not come across it in my constituency in quite some time. I will certainly check with the Minister of Health if that is the case.

In relation to backdating medical cards, I am not sure if that can be done. It is the case for social welfare entitlements that one receives the payments in arrears from the point at which one is entitled, not the point at which one is allocated. I think that is what Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is suggesting. It sounds like a good idea. I am just not sure how practical it would be because it would involved presumably then refunding fees to doctors etc. and that could be difficult to administer.

In terms of treatment abroad, patients can apply for treatment abroad under the treatment abroad scheme from the HSE and can also avail of treatment abroad without a means test under the cross-border directive, but of course, it needs to be a recognised treatment.

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