Vol. 474 No. 1
81 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the procedure whereby financial assistance is offered to people needing artificial limbs; if higher guideline limits for medical cards exist; if limbs come under the drugs refund scheme or whether someone on gross pay of £185 per week will be provided with limbs as required in view of the fact that this would happen if this person was unemployed. [2573/97]
Limerick East): Entitlement to health services in Ireland is based on means. Artificial limbs are not covered under the drugs refund scheme but, where required, are supplied free of charge to medical card holders. 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. Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. These guidelines are not set at higher levels for specific medical conditions. However, the guidelines are not statutorily binding and a person whose income exceeds the guidelines 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. The entitlement of people needing artificial limbs would be considered on this basis.
