Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the matter of the over 70s medical cards was removed from the responsibilities of the Health Service Executive community services and centralised in the HSE primary care reimbursement services in Finglas, Dublin 11; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that over 70s medical card applications have been lost and that delays have ensued as a result; if she will direct the HSE chief executive to restore this service to the local HSE offices where elderly persons have more personal contact and familiarity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30120/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Up to the start of this year, medical card and GP visit card applications were processed in the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) 32 local health areas. However, under the HSE's 2009 Service Plan, the processing of all medical card and GP visit card applications will transfer to the Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. The change is being implemented on a phased basis and has commenced with the PCRS processing all medical card applications for persons aged 70 or over. The phased implementation will allow the situation to be continuously monitored and, if required, modified to address any issues arising. The HSE has also given an assurance that specific queries in relation to any medical card application will be followed through to completion, as quickly as possible.

The HSE has advised my Department that there are no plans to close any of the local health offices and these offices will continue to deal with queries of a general nature about the medical card scheme and will provide any assistance needed with the application process. However, the process will involve a reassignment of existing human resources within the HSE to other critical frontline services and the Executive is working through the formal process with the trade union involved. This flexibility by public service workers is essential in the context of the current economic environment.

Under the new arrangements, the HSE will be aiming for a turnaround time of 15 days or less for all medical card applications. Emergency applications will be dealt with immediately with a card issuing within 24 hours. Applications from people whose income exceeds the income guidelines but have a case to be considered on medical or hardship grounds will also be processed by the PCRS.

I fully support the HSE's decision to centralise the medical card and GP visit card application and review process to one location. The HSE has advised that when fully implemented, this measure will ensure:

Improved turnaround time for the processing of applications;

Equitable application of eligibility across the country;

Consistency of service provision to customers;

Clearer lines of governance and accountability; and

Improved unified data.

The HSE has also indicated that this project, while realising health sector efficiencies and savings, will not have an adverse affect on patient care or the quality of service provided. This project is an example of the type of innovation signalled in the Transforming Public Services Programme announced by the Taoiseach last November. It demonstrates how improved services can be delivered within the more limited resources available in a way which meets the needs of citizens in a modern society.