Govt's Handling Of Medical Cards Is A 'Catastrophe' - Adams

Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams has asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny if those adversely affected by the removal of Medical Cards will be compensated and for the government to state clearly if all those who need medical cards will get them.

The remarks follow a U-turn by the Government in relation to its Medical card policy, which Gerry Adams says is further evidence that the Government is making up policy as it goes along. He said it was time the Minister for Health was removed from his post.

The Sinn Féin Leader also raised, once again, the circumstances surrounding the appointment and subsequent resignation of the Chairman of the West-North West Hospital Group, Noel Daly and also the fact that there has as yet, been no Government response to the issue of missing files on which decisions were made about people’s entitlement to a Discretionary Medical Card, and which was first brought to light several weeks ago by the Ombudsman.

Mr Adams said: "I listened to the Minister for Health announcing the restoration of Medical Cards on the radio at lunchtime. It would have been far better if he had come in to the Dáil but that’s not the way this Government works.

"I asked two weeks ago for the Health Minister to make a statement over his appointment of the Chairman of the West-North West Hospital Group. I am still waiting. In the meantime this individual has resigned. Incidentally the Minister’s first response to a question from Caoimhghín Ó Caolain TD was to defend the appointment.

"To date, no explanation, whether for the resignation or the original appointment has been given to the Dáil or to the public.

"Last week I asked the Taoiseach what has happened to the original files on which decisions were made about people’s entitlement to a Discretionary Medical Card, and which the Ombudsman says are lost. I am still waiting for a response.

"While I welcome today's announcement in relation to Medical Cards and commend those citizens who fought to achieve this u-turn, a number of questions now arise.

"Firstly will those citizens who have been adversely affected through the removal of their Medical Card be compensated for the hardship and costs that they endured?

"Given the confusion that has been caused to date by the handling of this issue, the Government should now state very clearly that all those who need medical cards will get them

"This embarrassing U-turn in health policy is further evidence that the Minister and the Government is making up policy as it goes along. It’s time that the Minister for Health was removed from his post, not just over the issue of Medical Cards but for the series of calamities over which he has presided.

"The government's handling of the Medical Cards issue has been a catastrophe. This was a Cabinet decision. The Taoiseach and every member of the Government decided on this."

(CD/IT)