A new online system for medical card applications will improve and speed up the application process, according to Minister for Digital Development  Galway West deputy, Seán Kyne. 

The new online system to apply for a medical card is being launched today by Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD and will, for the first time, enable people to apply for a medical card online using a step-by-step guide at www.medicalcard.ie. 

Minister Kyne told Midwest News that the new online system is very welcome and will help thousands of people obtain a medical card more speedily. 

 With the new system applicants will be guided through each step of the process and can submit supporting documents digitally such as scans and photographs. Furthermore, GPs will be able to accept new patients using the online system. 

Complete applications will be processed in 15 working days.

 Minister Kyne is confident that the new medical card online service will help citizens in the way the Passport Online Service has since its launch last March. In 2017 that service saw over 100,000 passports issued with faster turnaround times than paper applications.