Home News Thousands of children with disabilities still waiting for medical card

Thousands of children with disabilities still waiting for medical card

Medical Card

Fianna Fáil TD for Laois Sean Fleming says he is shocked to learn that thousands of children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance are still waiting to access a medical card.

Deputy Fleming made the comments after obtaining information from the HSE which shows that 7,507 children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance still have no medical card.

This is despite the Government committing that all children in receipt of the allowance would automatically get a medical card from June 1.

Deputy Fleming said: “This revelation is extraordinary and shows that thousands of children from right across the country still do not have access to a much needed medical card.

“These are children who are living with severe disabilities and who require substantially more care and attention than other children. Access to a medical card will greatly assist them.

“This really isn’t good enough. These children urgently need access to a medical card.

“The delays in processing their medical card applications is inexcusable when you consider they have an automatic right to one and are already in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance.

“Minister for Health Simon Harris needs to ensure that this matter is dealt with immediately.

“These children shouldn’t have to wait any longer to access a medical card which is their statutory right.”

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