Vol. 526 No. 5
76 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will cancel a hospital charge by the Mid-Western Health Board to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that the person has a medical card. [27115/00]
Under the Health Act, 1970, the determination of eligibility for health services is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, and neither I nor my Department has a function in the matter. I would like to add that health boards have discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.
As the determination of eligibility of the person concerned rests with the chief executive officer of the Mid-Western Health Board, I have asked him to have the matter investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.
