30/01/2012

FF Welcome HSE Intervention In Medical Cards

Fianna Fáil has welcomed the HSE's proposed interventions to speed up the processing of medical card applications.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John McGuinness at a meeting of the PAC this week called on the HSE to act swiftly in addressing the huge delays some applicants are faced with when applying for medical cards.

"I called on the HSE to send a senior officer to look at the process used in applying for medical cards. I am pleased that the HSE has since confirmed they will act on this advice, an official will now assess the application process and address the issue.

"This will be a timely intervention because the delays being experienced by thousands of people is totally unacceptable. The HSE has stated the senior official will report back to the committee with the findings in a matter of weeks."

The issue was also raised by Fianna Fáil in the Dáil on Thursday and with the Chief Executive of the HSE at the Public Accounts Committee meeting.

(DW/GK)

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