Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is withdrawing medical cards, as happened in the case of a person (detailed supplied) based on notices of assessments; his plans to instruct the HSE to draw its attention to this matter in order not to cause unnecessary stress to elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3244/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

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 was issued to Oireachtas members.