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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1986

Vol. 369 No. 9

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.

7.

asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that participation in the social employment scheme does not make a person ineligible for a general medical services card.

The issue of a medical card is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. I have no function in the matter. Eligibility is determined by reference to the criterion of hardship. Income guidelines are published annually to indicate the level of income for persons in different circumstances at or below which a medical card will normally be issued.

Full account is taken by health boards of any particular medical or other circumstances of applicants for medical cards. Similarly, if a medical card comes up for renewal while the holder is engaged in temporary work, such as being a participant in the social employment scheme, full regard is had to the temporary nature of that work. However, it would be quite inequitable to specify that a category of workers, such as those engaged in the social employment scheme, should be treated preferentially compared to other workers at similar levels of income, particularly when they may not enjoy any greater security of employment than SES workers.

I have a letter here which contains conclusive evidence that the Eastern Health Board cancelled a person's GMS card when he became employed in the social employment scheme and advised him to reapply as soon as the scheme ended. Obviously, if the normal processing of applications prevailed in this case months would elapse before the card would be reissued to him. I hope the Minister shares my wish that priority should be given to employing people. Does the Minister agree that the loss of a medical card could be a distinct deterrent to becoming involved in the social employment scheme which is of very short duration with small pay? My question only refers to those in the very low income bracket and I hope the Minister will give a direction that people employed under the scheme will not lose their medical card.

The only people who could be at risk of losing a medical card in this regard would be single people. The figure of £70 is more than 150 per cent of the income guidelines regarding medical cards for single people. In any event, it is up to the health board when the card is up for renewal to make inquiries and to assess the income and means of the person concerned. I have not issued any special directions to health boards asking them to withdraw or issue cards. It is in the framework of the income guidelines. The same would apply to a temporary single worker employed on a two-day week with Bord na Móna.

The person involved is single but as he is earning only £70 per week I would be very reluctant to advise him to relinquish his single status for the purpose of acquiring a medical card for himself and his unfortunate wife who would be forced to live on the amount.

The income limit for a medical card is £95 and if a single person has substantial transport and rent costs, they are taken into account and he may well become eligible.

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