Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is departmental policy to allow the Health Service Executive to charge holders of medical cards who are waiting for renewal of their cards and for the issue of medication when the delay is due entirely to delays within the Health Service Executive; her views on delays within the HSE policy of not refunding the cost of medication purchased while awaiting the issue of a renewal card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6646/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the assessment of applications for medical cards at the time of the initial application and any renewals which may occur.

Notice of requirements in respect of renewals of medical cards are sent to exisitng medical card holders in advance of the renewal date. A reminder may also be sent. Failure to submit the requested documentation, by the specified date, may result in a card not being renewed.

A valid medical card entitles its holder to a variety of personal and social services free of charge, including general practitioner services and approved prescribed medication from a community pharmacist. Persons who have not been issued with medical card, for whatever reason, are not entitled to avail of these services. The Health Service Executive will not charge the patient for these services. However, the general practitioner and the pharmacist may charge. Persons who have experienced such difficulty should approach their local Health Service Executive area office to have their particular case investigated.

If the Deputy is aware of a particular case(s), I would be pleased to have the matter passed to the Health Service Executive for examination, upon receipt of the details.