Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 1984

Vol. 351 No. 8

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

484.

asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the health boards to take into consideration means assessed by social welfare officers in relation to persons in receipt of old age pensions at a reduced rate when applications from such persons are being considered by health boards for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to the necessity of uniformity of means testing for social welfare purposes and medical card purposes.

Medical cards are issued to persons with full eligibility for health services, i.e. persons who are unable to provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.

Income guidelines have been drawn up to assist the chief executive officers in determining applications for medical cards. I have recently announced that from July 1984 a special allowance for persons over 66 years will be incorporated in the income guidelines. This allowance will be as follows: Persons aged between 66 years and 80 years — £5 per week (£10 if married). Persons aged 80 years and over — £8 per week (£16 if married).

This allowance will bring greater uniformity into the assessment of means in dealing with applications for medical cards and for non-contributory old age pensions. It should enable all persons who are in receipt of non-contributory old age pensions to qualify for medical cards. I accept that there is scope for further improvement in uniformity in assessing income for health and social welfare purposes generally and consultations have been taking place between the two Departments in this regard.

Top
Share