Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason an appeal for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Louth is not being dealt with by the appeals office, Health Service Executive north east; and if this medical card will be granted due to the fact that the person suffers with schizophrenia. [28263/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason an appeal for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Louth is not being dealt with by the appeals office, Health Service Executive north east; if this person's entitlement to a medical card can be established until such time as their case is examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28442/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 185 together.

Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way in which people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the income guidelines for GP visit cards. These are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of appeals awaiting a decision by the Health Service Executive appeals north east area; the time scale for completion of appeals; the breakdown of outstanding appeals by category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28264/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of appeals awaiting a decision by the Health Service Executive appeals north east; if she will provide a breakdown of all appeals by county, category of appeal and length of time waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28441/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 184 together.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.