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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 1995

Vol. 455 No. 1

Written Answers. - Single Means Assessment.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

62 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health the benefits under the aegis of his Department where separate means tests are applied; the plans, if any, he has for a single means assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11653/95]

Limerick-East): The health boards operate a means test for certain services and payments as set out as follows:

(i) Medical cards

Income guidelines are available to assist in determining eligibility for medical cards. However, these are not statutorily binding, and the chief executive officers have the discretion to issue medical cards to persons exceeding the guidelines, where the circumstances warrant it.
Table I below sets out the current guidelines. They are increased annually in line with inflation.
TABLE I.
The income guidelines for 1995 are as follows: (Gross income less PRSI deductions)

per week

£

Single person living alone (under 66)

84.50

Single person living alone (66-79)

92.50

Single person living alone (80 or over)

96.50

Single person living with family (under 66)

74.50

Single person living with family (66-79)

79.50

Single person living with family (80 or over)

82.50

Married couple (under 66)

122.50

Married couple (66-79)

137.00

Married couple (80 or over)

144.00

Allowance for each child under 16

14.50

Allowance for other dependants

16.00

Allowance for house expenses: (e.g. rent, mortgage) — figure over

14.50

Allowance for cost of travelling to work:

Cost allowed per week over

13.00

(ii)Income Maintenance Allowances
In assessing eligibility for the allowances listed below, health boards are obliged to have regard to all the applicant's means and the means of his-her spouse, if any ("spouse" includes unmarried persons who are living together as man and wife). Full account is taken of the amount of means and the allowance is reduced accordingly; no allowance is payable if the means exceeds the rate of allowance. However, income from Supplementary Welfare Allowances, and amounts of up to £33 per week from recognised rehabilitative employment, are disregarded in calculating means for this purpose.

Maximum rate of allowance w.e.f. 5-6-95

£

1. Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance

62.50 per week

2. Disabled Person's Rehabilitation Allowance

76.40 per week

3. Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance

62.50 per week

4. Blind Welfare Allowance (paid in addition to Blind Pension)

20.10 per week

5. Mobility Allowance (Same means test as disabled persons maintenance allowance)

38.00 per month

Responsibility for the disabled persons maintenance allowance scheme is being transferred to the Department of Social Welfare with effect from 1 July 1995.
In the case of domiciliary care allowance which is payable in respect of handicapped children between the ages of two and 16 years, it is the income of the child (e.g. compensation awards) rather than of the parents that is taken into account when assessing eligibility.
Because of the very different nature of these schemes, for example the discretionary powers of the chief executive officers to issue medical cards to persons when income exceeds the guidelines, there are no plans at present to operate a single means assessment. However, eligibility procedures for each scheme will continue to be reviewed and whatever improvements are necessary in the interest of equity will be implemented.
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