Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 216: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on the centralisation of medical card waiting lists; the current waiting times for a decision by applicants; the number of persons waiting more than three months, six months and nine months for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11966/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is moving ahead with its plans to centralise the processing of all medical cards and GP visit card applications and renewals to its Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Dublin. This project is well under way and almost 40% of medical card applications are now processed centrally by the PCRS.

Last year a new on-line Medical Card application service was launched (www.medicalcard.ie) which guarantees a 15-day turnaround for complete applications. This new facility was developed to enable people, anywhere in the country, to apply on-line for a medical card, as is the case with many other public services. More than 5,000 on-line applications are being received each month with more than 50% of these made outside of normal office hours. The new on-line medical card application is suitable for people who are likely to quality for a medical card on income grounds. On line assessments are immediate and for applicants who supply all evidence / documentation and are eligible on income grounds, medical card delivery is guaranteed within 15 days of receipt of the completed application pack. Applicants who are over the income limits (i.e. discretionary cases) are informed immediately and may apply to the HSE for assessment in the normal way, if they wish. Any person who has applied through the national office can now view the status of their medical card application or review on-line, using a unique reference number which is provided to each applicant immediately on application receipt. These on-line facilities are under continuous development with additional on-line services to be made available throughout 2011.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However I have asked the HSE to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical card owners that will be in the State by the end of 2011; the cost to the Exchequer and the percentage of our population in receipt of these cards and that these figures be supplied for total medical cards and general practitioner only cards. [11967/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.