Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1051. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify proposals to automatically grant medical cards to families in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24510/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government states that "We will extend the entitlement to a medical card for all children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) in Budget 2017. Approximately 10,000 children would benefit from this initiative". In early July, I meet with representatives of Our Children's Health. At that meeting, and in the debate on the Private Members Motion on the DCA on the 19 of July, I reaffirmed the Government's commitment in its Programme to providing medical cards to all children that qualify for the DCA.

I also confirmed that this commitment was a priority for me in the upcoming budget discussions. Subject to the required resources being secured in the upcoming budget negotiations primary legislation will be required to give effect to this measure and it is my objective to have this prepared and brought to the Oireachtas as quickly as possible after the Budget.