Vol. 459 No. 3
81 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if he will consider exempting income received by farmers under the rural environmental protection scheme from the assessment of means for medical cards and other health board schemes. [18040/95]
, Limerick East): Entitlement to health services is based on means.
At present there are no plans to exempt income received by farmers under the rural environmental protection scheme from the assessment of means for medical cards and other health board schemes. I should point out that even though a person's income exceeds the income guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.
Assessment procedures for all schemes will continue to be reviewed and whatever improvements are necessary in the interest of equity will be implemented.
