Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry does not qualify for an EU medical card considering that they previously qualified for an EU medical card; if legislation has been introduced in recent years which disqualifies the person from qualifying for an EU medical card; and if he considers the refusal to award this person an EU medical card is in contravention of Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of 29 April 2004. [42605/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible regarding this individual's particular case.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

The legislation on EU medical cards has not changed in recent years. The HSE aims to ensure that every person who is entitled to a medical card is given the opportunity to avail of his or her entitlement and makes the relevant assessments in line with the EU Regulations.