Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 654: To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite the application for a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [32283/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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A medical card holder who genuinely engages with the review of their medical card will not have their entitlement withdrawn before that review is complete. This period of continued eligibility is further extended if the person appeals the non-renewal of a card or the granting of a GP visit card. To avoid a situation where eligibility ceases because the client was unable to respond to a renewal notice, an additional safeguard is now present in that a GP can, where appropriate, extend eligibility to allow the medical card holder a further opportunity to engage with the review process.

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.