asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in County Kerry, who needs major heart surgery, is being refused a medical card by the Southern Health Board.
Written Answers. - Kerry Medical Card Application.
70.
As the Deputy will be aware, the determination of eligibility for medical cards is a function of the chief executive officers of health boards. I have had inquiries made and I have ascertained that the family of the child concerned are in receipt of an income which is substantially in excess of the relevant income guideline figure for determination of eligibility for medical card cover in their case.
Expenditure on medication for this child amounts to some £32 per month, leaving net unrefunded expenditure not exceeding £28 per month after application of the benefits of the Cost of Drugs Refund Scheme.