Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health the specific efforts that have been made to improve the throughput of medical card applications and reviews since 2 March 2012; his plans to improve the process and turn around time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16040/12]

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

I continue to engage with the HSE to improve their handling of medical card applications. As a result of actions in this area, the HSE has reported to me that 96% of complete applications received in late-February/early-March have been processed within 15 days, compared to a turnaround target of 90% in its 2012 National Service Plan. The HSE has also reported to me that the backlog in processing 2011 applications has been reduced by 77% since January. Regarding developments since the beginning of March, I am pleased to say that, as part of their continuing efforts to resolve difficulties, the HSE has put in place a plan, covering the period March and April, for the resolution of key issues in the medical card scheme's application processing system. This plan is in addition to the review of the centralisation project that is being undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the HSE to develop medium and longer term plans. The report from the PwC review is due to be delivered shortly.