asked the Minister for Health if he will consider changing the arrangements for assessment for medical cards in order that net income rather than gross income would be the determining factor for eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
18.
Under the provision of the Health Act, 1970, medical cards are issued to persons who are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.
The determination of eligibility in individual cases is a matter for the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. In order to assist in determining eligibility and to ensure uniformity of decisions in all areas, income guidelines have been adopted. While these guidelines are based on gross income they are not binding on the chief executive officers and are simply intended as a broad general guide. Where income exceeds the guidelines, but due to medical or other circumstances the individual is unable to arrange general practitioner services for himself or his dependants without undue hardship, a medical card is awarded.
The whole question of co-ordinating arrangements regarding means testing for various State schemes is under examination by an interdepartmental committee and this issue of gross versus net income will, of course, be considered in the context of that committee's work.