Gay Mitchell
Question:125 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/98]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means and the legal responsibility, under the Health Act, 1970, for the determination of eligibility for medical cards is with the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to those who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
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 his or her medical needs would justify this.
I, as Minister for Health and Children, do not have a function in the issue of medical cards to individuals. However, as the determination of eligibility of the person concerned is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board I have asked him to have the matter investigated and to reply directly to you.