Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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417. To ask the Minister for Health the reason applications for medical cards from persons, who are in receipt of assistance under the farm support scheme, are not being processed by the Health Service Executive unless the applicant can provide a notice of self-assessment (details supplied); the reason the Health Service Executive will not accept the fact they have little or no tax liability; the reason the Health Service Executive is determined to make these persons undergo this process and oblige them to employ a tax advisor or an accountant at a cost of €500 to prove that they owe no tax; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in view of this, many of these persons are not taking their necessary prescribed medication, such as for blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5665/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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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.

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.