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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Discretionary medical card refusals

Summary

Tom Fleming raises distressing refusals of discretionary medical cards, including cases involving cancer patients and children with cystic fibrosis, and asks for intervention. The Ceann Comhairle rules the matter inadmissible and directs him to a Topical Issue or parliamentary question.

On the health information Bill, I want to raise some recent incredible and unjustified decisions with regard to patients who are applying for discretionary medical cards. Some devastating news has been given out. For example, two old age pensioners in my constituency, both with cancer-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

What Bill are you talking about?

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I would like the Taoiseach to intervene in some extreme cases. These people are totally stressed.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

It is not allowable on the Order of Business. The Deputy should put this in as a Topical Issue.

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It is adding to their health condition. They are old age pensioners, both of whom have cancer.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Thank you, Deputy.

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I had another case last week-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question or raise a Topical Issue.

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-----involving three cystic fibrosis children from a middle income family. I ask the Taoiseach, in conjunction with the Minister for Health, to please review a number of these cases. It is totally unjustified-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Sorry, it is not allowable on the Order of Business.

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I call on the Taoiseach to intervene with a-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

You were not listening to me. I suggest you table a Topical Issue or a parliamentary question.

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It is totally wrong in these cases.

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