Limerick East): The determination of eligibility for a medical card is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board.
The chief executive officers use income guidelines in deciding on eligibility and will take account of the medical circumstances of the person concerned.
I have had inquiries made of the Southern Health Board in the case referred to by the Deputy and I understand that when the application was assessed the board found that the person's family income was in excess of the medical card income guidelines. The board concluded that the financial means at the disposal of the person's family should enable them to meet their medical costs, that is, general practitioner fees, cost of any medicines not covered by the drugs refund scheme at this time.
If the Deputy has any information relating to a change in the person's circumstances which would have implications for eligibility for a medical card, perhaps he could relay same to me and I will gladly have the matter followed up with the Southern Health Board.
