Madam, - The very low take-up of "doctor-only" medical cards surely cannot stem from lack of demand, given that your local GP might well charge you €50 for a short visit to the surgery. Rather, it suggests a major flaw in the way rights and benefits are delivered in this State.
I suggest that the self-interest of politicians lies at the heart of this problem, with two key flaws in the system. Firstly, TDs have voted themselves large allowances to run "constituency clinics", at times and places of their own choosing, instead of adequately investing in professionally staffed information and support services at local level. These TD clinics should more accurately be termed "re-election offices".
Secondly, far too many rights and benefits are categorised as "discretionary". This often means that those most in need fail to receive them, while those who do apply often mistakenly believe they might need the local TD to pull some strings on their behalf.
TDs do nothing to dissuade their constituents and will happily claim credit for any positive outcome, regardless of whether they have made any representations at all, or simply passed on an application form.
It should be a priority of the next government to eradicate these deficiencies and abuses. But will the self-interest of politicians win again? - Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY, Haddington Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin.