Vol. 473 No. 3
76 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of people over the ages of 80, 85 or 90 years who do not have medical cards; the estimated annual cost of introducing an entitlement to a medical card without means testing for persons aged 80, 85 or 90; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25156/96]
Limerick East): It is not possible to provide the precise information requested by the Deputy. It is estimated, however, that it would cost about £30 million to extend medical card cover to all persons aged 65 and over.
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 medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. In addition the standard guidelines used to assist determine eligibility are higher for persons aged 66-79 and higher again for those aged 80 and over. Consequently, while about 35 per cent of all persons have medical card entitlement, it is estimated that about 73 per cent of those aged 65 and over have medical card entitlement.
In these circumstances, I do not think that it is justifiable to extend an automatic entitlement to a medical card to all citizens aged 80 and over without reference to their means. I am satisfied that the health boards give sympathetic consideration to applications made by such persons when the circumstances warrant it.
