asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the anomalies in the hospital services card scheme whereby a woman who is employed and satisfies the means test is entitled to a hospital services card whereas a woman who loses her job, is ill and in receipt of disability benefit is not entitled to a hospital services card unless her husband satisfies the means test, that is earnings under £16,000; and whether women in such circumstances should be entitled to a hospital services card in their own right.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services Card.
105.
Married persons with an independent income are entitled to be assessed for hospital services cards in their own right under the relevant regulations, i.e. Health Service (No. 2) Regulations, 1983 (S.I. No. 139 of 1983).