Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Health if a decision will be made on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33217/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Health his views that it is unacceptable that a medical card application which was received by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service took more than 30 days to decide that further information was required; his further views that the [i]medicalcard.ie [/i]website states that the application has been unsuccessful despite the fact that this Deputy has been informed that additional information has been requested; if he will confirm the correct position regarding this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33224/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Health his views regarding the fact that the [i]medicalcard.ie[/i] website has given incorrect information on a number of occasions which is causing confusion to applicants; if he will ensure that the website is updated to reflect the information that staff at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service are issuing; his further views regarding the length of time a medical card application should take; the steps he will take to ensure more efficient administration of medical card applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33226/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive centralised the processing of all new applications and renewals of medical cards at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Finglas, Dublin from 1 July 2011.

A new online application facility has now been provided at www.medicalcard.ie which enables people anywhere in the country to apply for, or to renew a medical card online. Applying online also gives applicants access to up-to-date information on the progress of their medical card renewal or application.

The Health Service Executive has stated that it is aware of the problem raised by the Deputy. The problem arises because following the initial assessment of a medical card application a decision is made to either grant or refuse the card. Depending on the decision made, this generates a "successful" or "unsuccessful" comment on the website. However, to ensure accurate decision making and as a quality control issue, each unsuccessful application is re-assessment by the PCRS Quality Assurance team. Only when this final check has been carried out is a letter issues stating whether the application has been successful or not.

The HSE has stated that it is working to address the issue raised by the Deputy to ensure that information provided to applicants online is accurate and clear.

The Executive has stated that there is no backlog of work in the central office and all complete medical card applications and reviews are being processed within 15 working days or less. Delays occur where applications are submitted without the supporting documentation necessary to complete the processing of the application.