Fine Gael TDs overwhelmed with medical card queries

Fine Gael backbench TDs admit they are being overwhelmed with queries about medical cards from pensioners, but say Health Minister James Reilly should be given the chance to instigate reforms.

However, some TDs voiced concern and were critical about the minister as well as the budget measures agreed by the Cabinet.

Party TDs say constituents appear with concerns about medical cards being revoked, but in some cases they are twice or three times over the eligibility threshold.

The comments from Fine Gael TDs come after calls for Dr Reilly to step down by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

Mr Reilly’s constituency colleague, Dublin North West TD Alan Farrell, said he was experiencing “wall to wall” queries in his clinic on medical card issues.

“It’s not particularly pretty. Pensioners are also extraordinarily upset at measures being taken. But if people are getting cards twice over the remit, that’s not right.”

Cork North West TD Aine Collins said that constituents were appearing who had medical cards taken from them, but in many cases they were substantially over the income limit for recipients.

Tom Hayes, the junior agriculture minister, said there was a “lot of misinformation being put about on medical cards.” The Tipperary South TD added: “People are getting notices that their cards are cancelled, but in most cases they never sent back the forms.”

One TD, who did not want to be named, was very critical saying: “James Reilly is a bullshitter, he is way out of his depth. This episode has proven he is not adept at politics. He just keeps ducking and diving. Reilly needs to make a decision and stand by it. The Cabinet is very worried about the lack of leadership at the top from James Reilly.”

Another, also wanting to remain anonymous, added: “Joan Burton [the social protection minister] didn’t give enough away. The only other scapegoat available was James.”