Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.

Paul McGrath

Question:

453 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the income limit for qualification for a medical card; and the criteria that apply to returned emigrants and non-nationals who paid social security abroad and who wish to get a medical card. [849/94]

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Under the Health Act, 1970, medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board are unable, without undue hardship, to provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants.

Income guidelines are drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility. The current income guidelines are set out in the following table. However 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 would justify this.

Gross Income Per Week Less PRSI

	£
Single person living alone aged under 66	82.50
Single person living alone aged 66-79	90.00
Single person living alone aged under 80 and over	94.00
Single person living with family aged under 66	72.50
Single person living with family aged 66-79	77.50
Single person living with family aged 80 and over	80.50
Married couple aged under 66	119.50
Married couple aged 66-79	133.50
Married couple aged 80 and over	140.50
Allowance per child under 16	14.00
Other dependants	15.50
Outgoings on house (rent etc.) in excess of	14.00
Reasonable expenses incurred in travelling to work in excess of	12.00

Under EC regulations, all persons, including returned emigrants and non-nationals, who are in receipt of a social security pension from another EC member state may qualify for a medical card regardless of the amount of their income. This will apply in cases where they are not covered by an Irish Social Welfare pension — as either a recipient or a dependant — and are not in employment or self-employed.

All other persons, including returned emigrants and non-nationals, who are not covered by EC regulations, are, on taking up residence in Ireland, eligible to apply for health services in Ireland on the same basis as all Irish residents i.e. on means.

Such persons may qualify for a medical card if they meet the criteria set out in the first two paragraphs. Health boards regard persons as being ordinarily resident in Ireland if satisfied of their intention to reside in Ireland for at least one year. Such persons will be eligible for health services from the date they take up residence in Ireland.