John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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432. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions No. 393 of 11 November 2014, No. 201 of 19 September 2014, No. 638 of 15 July 2014, No. 139 of 25 June 2014 and Nos. 209 to 212, inclusive, of 4 June 2014, the reason these questions have not been answered since 4 June 2014; his views on the fact that a parliamentary question tabled more than 175 days ago has yet to be answered by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46283/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I am advised that a letter dated 24 November 2014 issued from Minister Varadker to the Deputy with the information requested. I can, however, again provide the information furnished.

The HSE has advised that, at 10 November 2014 there were 489 medical card applications referred to Medical Officers. The time frames for the consideration and recommendation of these cases are as follows: 149 within 0 to 3 days, 230 within 4 to 10 days and the balance of 110 are within 11 to 20 days.

There are currently 11 Medical Officers, from across the HSE local health areas, engaged on a part-time basis to undertake medical card eligibility assessments. This equates to 4 whole-time equivalent Medical Officer posts. All Medical Officers, who undertake assessment of medical card eligibility, on the basis of discretion under the Medical Card Scheme, are qualified doctors with considerable experience in public health management.