Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

As I outlined, eligibility for the medical card is primarily based on means and a financial assessment conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. The HSE has put in place a range of measures to assist people in applying for the medical card, which includes the availability of medical cards online. All of this the Deputy knows. I concur with the sentiment of her proposition that for cancer patients and those who are facing that journey, a much quicker, faster and easier process should be in place for them.

See this speech in context