Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has said terminally ill patients in palliative care are an exception. In the case concerned, the person was deemed to be terminally ill. It took time to get the medical card and it was only valid for six months. Where it is clearly indicated that the person is terminally ill, I do not understand why a medical card would only be issued for six months because it is causing anxiety. I suggest that in the case of a person with a terminal illness a medical card be issued for 12 months rather than six. I urge the Minister of State to examine the issue.