Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical cards currently in circulation; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21091/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Minister for Health if the processing of medical card applications can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21092/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the General Medical Services scheme which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended.

In relation to the processing of medical card applications as at week ending 1 April 2017 (latest figures available), 99.67% of medical card applications received by the Primary Care Reimbursement Services were processed within a 15 day timeframe.

The following table indicates the number of medical cards as at 1 January for the past 5 years:

All applications or reviews concerning medical and GP visit cards must be supported with a range of documentation, as outlined on the application forms. Where such supporting documentation is not supplied or is incomplete, to enable the assessment of the application, in accordance with the National Assessment Guidelines, the HSE will issue correspondence to the applicant specifying the additional information required to progress the assessment of their application. Clearly the processing time for incomplete applications is dependent on the furnishing of the required documentation by the applicant.

It is worth noting that the HSE is the established 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.