Moves to decentralise the processing of medical cars to Dublin is being strenuously opposed by Westport Fine Gael Deputy Michael Ring.
Deputy Ring said the processing of medical cards for the over 70s was centralised to Dublin over a year ago and has created enormous difficulties, and is not working, leaving thousands of older people nationwide having to re-apply for their medical cards and having to wait weeks to hear back from the HSE on their renewal applications.
“Now they are talking about bringing the processing of all medical cards to Dublin,” Dep Ring said. “This is not going to work and it has to be stopped. As unemployment and social welfare applications increase, so will the rate of medical card applications and local knowledge on services available and the ability to interact with the relevant health officials is vital.
“The processing should be left to localised facilities in every county. Every region should have control over the allocation of their own medical cards. This is another Government decision that is not going to work and is going to cause great hardship,” he concluded.
