Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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186. To ask the Minister for Health when he will make medical cards available to persons in receipt of domiciliary care allowance without the requirement of a means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10854/17]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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241. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce medical cards for the children of parents in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; if primary legislation is required to allow this; if so, the timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11113/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 241 together.

I have received permission from Government to publish the Health (Amendment) Bill 2017 which will enable the granting of full eligibility for general practitioner and other health services to all children in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is paid. Granting a medical card to all children in respect of whom a DCA payment is made will benefit approximately 9,800 children in this cohort who do not currently qualify for a medical card. The legislation will begin its passage through the Oireachtas next week and it is hoped to complete all Stages before the end of March.

The HSE is also finalising the administration processes that need to be in place so that the proposal can be implemented in a smooth and efficient manner.