Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 7

Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility Assessment.

Edward Nealon

Question:

168 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the methods used by the health boards to calculate farm incomes for medical card eligibility purposes; if the same system is used by all the health boards; if there has been any change in recent years to allow for the acknowledged fall in farm incomes as calculated by Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture and Food; if it is proposed to make allowances for anticipated further falls this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The determination of eligibility in any particular case is a matter for the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Income guidelines are available to assist in determining eligibility, but the method of calculation of the income concerned is entirely the responsibility of the chief executive officer. However as the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Economic and Social Progress draws attention to the need for uniformity and consistency in the assessment procedures followed by health boards. Accordingly the chief executive officers of the health boards are being asked to carry out an early review of the methods of assessment used throughout the country so as to ensure that both these objectives are met.