asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to a reply of 1st February, 1966, he is aware that a person who applies for the benefits of section 15 of the Health Act is assessed on his annual means while a person who applies for the benefits of section 14 must be assessed on the basis of his income at the time of application; and the health authorities do not regard applications under section 15 as section 14 applications; and if he will make an explanatory statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Act Benefits.
62.
Mr. O'Malley
Whilst entitlement to hospital services under section 15 of the Health Act for a person other than a farmer or insured worker is determined by his annual means, his actual contribution towards the cost of hospital services provided for him may vary from nothing up to 10/- per day. It is open to a health authority, in assessing the amount of any such contribution, to take into account both the current and normal financial circumstances of the person concerned.
Entitlement to general medical services under section 14 of the Health Act, that is, the medical card, depends on whether or not a person is in a position, by his own means, to meet the cost of such services. Here also the person's overall financial position may be taken into account.
The determination of eligibility in individual cases for services under sections 14 and 15 of the Health Act, 1953, rests with the health authority concerned, subject in the case of applications under section 15, to the person's right of appeal to the Minister as regards the amount of annual means. I have already informed the Deputy that if he will furnish particulars of any case in which he considers that an unreasonable attitude has been adopted by the health authority in seeking a contribution towards the cost of hospital services, I shall have the matter investigated.