Jimmy Harte (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Along with other Members I extend my sympathies at this sad time to the McEntee family and to the family of Senator Clune following the death of her mum. I would like a debate on the issue of medical card reviews that are taking place around the country and particularly in an area of Donegal. I have been contacted by several doctors who maintain that the medical card reviews are mitigating against people over 70 who may not have the resources or ability or someone to help them to fill in the complicated forms. The reason this is happening, in their opinion - and I agree with them - is that community welfare officers have been taken out of the loop. Their view is that people entitled to medical cards will lose them, not because they are over the income limit but because they have not sent back the forms. Another reason is that many of them have cards that state they are eligible until the end of 2015, or in some cases up to 2035, but they are now being told that if the forms are not returned by the end of January they will be cut off in February. I have spoken to two general practitioners in different practices and some other people who have come directly to my office. It is an urgent issue in certain areas of Donegal and in other rural parts of the country. Donegal has already been designated a high-poverty area.

In certain areas there has been much emigration, which has left behind many people over 70 and under 15 years of age. It is the over-70s in need of medical attention who will forego the medical card. One GP said that he knew of a particular heart patient who stopped coming in because he was so confused by the issue. I call on the Minister look at this. I call for a debate on the issue to provide clarity for Members from around the country who may experience this in the coming month or two.