Paul Connaughton
Question:50 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health if he will amend regulations so that children with a significant physical or intellectual disability can automatically qualify for a medical card.
Written Answers. - Medical Card Qualification.
Mary Flaherty
Question:57 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will amend regulations so that children with a significant physical or intellectual disability can automatically qualify for a medical card.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 57 together.
Under the 1970 Health Act, the determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.
Income guidelines are available to assist Chief Executive Officers in the determination of a person's eligibility. These guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the Chief Executive Officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances justify this.
While it would not be justifiable or fair to other groups to extend the scheme to all children with a significant physical or intellectual disability without any regard for their parents means, I am satisfied that Chief Executive Officers take a sympathetic view of applications where the circumstances warrant it.