Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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288. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a young person between 18 and 25 years of age is disadvantaged in accessing a medical card due to having an income below the income threshold; his strategy to ensure that young vulnerable persons can access medical care in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17662/15]

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.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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289. To ask the Minister for Health if a young person between 18 and 25 years of age on a social welfare payment and independently living can be considered more disadvantaged than other citizens of the State due to the fact of having an income threshold that is too low to make that person eligible for a medical card; his views that these persons are considered to be less entitled or in need of medical care; his strategy to ensure that young vulnerable persons can access medical care in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17663/15]

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.