Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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476. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of medical cards being issued to children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11241/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health (Amendment) Bill 2017 was published last Thursday 2nd March 2017. This bill 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 is scheduled to enter the Dail tomorrow, Wednesday, 8th March 2017, 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.