asked the Minister for Health the reason third level students who live away from home had their medical cards withdrawn in the North Eastern Health Board region.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards Withdrawal.
56.
Persons between the ages of 16 and 25 who are dependants of their parents have their family circumstances taken into account in determining eligibility. Other persons in this age group are assessed on the basis of their own means.
Students dependent on parents who are medical card holders are automatically entitled to medical cards. However, if the parents become ineligible for medical cards their dependants also become ineligible. This includes dependent students. Dependent students, whether living at home or away, are treated in the same way following a decision of the Minister for Health in 1983. This situation applies nationally.