asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the means test applied to those who apply for medical service cards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Service Cards: Means Test.
20.
The Deputy is, no doubt, aware that the duty of determining the eligibility of persons for medical cards rests solely with the individual health authorities. It is inevitable that the standards adopted in determining eligibility will vary as between one health district and another and, as I have no functions in connection with this matter, I am not in a position to furnish particulars of the standards applicable in individual areas. The Deputy may have in mind a general standard by which eligibility for medical cards is determined. In reply to a question raised by Deputy Norton in the House on 14th July last, as recorded in Volume 176, Column 1009 of the Official Report, I stated that I was not aware of any general scale adopted by County Managers setting out income limits for eligibility for medical cards, and the position has not altered in the meantime. I am aware that in certain areas, in order to facilitate the early issue of cards in clearly eligible cases, income scales have been drawn up and cards are issued automatically where the income is within those scales, but I am given to understand that, where such a scale exists and an applicant, by reference to the scale, is not automatically regarded as eligible for a medical card, the case is fully examined on its merits, and the final determination is made in the light of all the relevant circumstances.
May I ask the Minister whether or not there is an appeal against a decision of a county manager to refuse a medical service card and, if so, to whom?
There is no appeal. The county manager is the final determinant.