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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

285 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines in place to apply in the case of adults living together and, in particular, whether the means of one adult can be assessed against another where they are not married; and whether the approach taken in these guidelines is consistent with the rules applied in relation to claiming tax relief for medical expenses incurred by unrelated adults. [15847/98]

I understand that health boards assess for means tested services on the basis of the joint income of the co-habitees, whether married or unmarried. Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable, without undue hardship to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. Income guidelines are drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. However the guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.

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