Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the call made by a number of Senators for a debate on homelessness. It is important we have a debate on this issue. A basic need for every citizen is a roof over his or her head. I welcome the call for the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to come to the House to debate this issue.

I want to raise the issue of medical cards and medical card holders who continue to be charged for blood tests by their local GPs, despite the fact that over €370 million is spent by the HSE on the provision of blood test services, none of which is offset against GPs. I acknowledge the efforts made by the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, on this issue. He answered a number of parliamentary questions over the past few months and has indicated to the Lower House that 14 GPs were called to heel on this issue, a number of whom were required to pay back the money charged to medical card patients. However, evidence I have shows this practice is still going on. Why does this problem persist when both the GP contract holders and the IMO have been informed this money should not be charged? There is also a provision in the new contracts for GPs regarding this. Why is it that some of the cases being investigated have not been brought to conclusion? Will the money be returned to patients and how will that be done?

The relationship between GPs and patients is a special relationship and the fact patients are being charged incorrectly for blood tests puts a strain on that relationship. It is difficult for patients to ask their GPs not to charge them or to ask for a refund. We need a better system in place. I suggest that notices be put up in all offices of GPs with State contracts to the effect that no charges will be made for blood tests. This will help clarify the matter. We need clarity on this issue as it has not gone away, despite the efforts made by the Minister of State.