Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State is reading information he got from HSE officials but they are simply burying their heads in the sand. There is a general problem with the registration and logging of applications, particularly with respect to further information. I see this on a daily basis and I know other Members are similarly aware of it. The HSE is assuring the Minister that there is no delay in the processing of these applications but I am not sure what that means. I ask the Minister of State to check this with the HSE as there is a general problem with logging on and registering further information with medical card applications. As of today, my office has been told the officials are dealing with information received on 9 November, which is a fortnight ago. That two-week delay is the current position. I ask the Minister of State to check this with the HSE.

Additional staff may be necessary to deal with applications and there is a need to upgrade information technology systems. There is a main IT system and an Oireachtas system and it appears these systems are not compatible and are not talking to one another. We also need to have a process similar to that provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, whereby Members can deal directly with dedicated staff dealing with these applications. There is definitely a difficulty with the area and I again ask the Minister of State to check this with the HSE as it is giving rise to serious difficulties for ordinary people trying to access medical cards. I compliment the staff at all levels in the medical card area as we find them courteous, helpful and professional. However, as there is still a problem in the system, I ask the Minister of State to look at it.

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