Seanad debates

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Mary MoranMary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to add my voice to yesterday's comments on the success of the "Yes" vote in the marriage equality referendum. It was a great day. The celebrations in my home town of Dundalk were wide and vast that day. I would also like to express my condolences to the family of Bill O'Herlihy on their loss. People referred to the atmosphere in Ireland on Saturday as being similar to that of Italia '90. Nobody signified, appreciated and brought Italia '90 better to our television screens than Bill O'Herlihy. I would like to express my sympathy to his family on their loss.

I would also like to welcome students from a school in Dundalk to the Visitors Gallery. I recognise the uniform. They are very welcome here this afternoon.

I call for a debate on the issue of medical cards with Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, at the earliest opportunity. I have received ongoing representations, but in recent weeks I received representations from two people regarding their applications which gave rise to concern. One person had been in possession of a medical card for five years, while the other person had had one for more than 15 years, and that person had received no notice of a review. In one case, the person had had a very significant diagnosis, yet he or she had no notice that a review was to take place. The medical card office had to be phoned, it was discovered that the forms had never been received, and in the meantime the person's medical card had expired. In that case, the person was fortunate in that the doctor and pharmacist were still working on the understanding that the person had a medical card, but with six months now having elapsed, the card has expired. Both of those people who called to me will be left without a medical card. The lack of communication in the Department is unbelievable and unacceptable, particularly when these people had previously been in possession of a medical card. They have long-term illnesses that will not go away and their medications and condition are not going to change. What has happened has inflicted an undue level of stress on these people. I request a debate on this issue with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in attendance at the earliest opportunity.

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