Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 6

Written Answers - Medical Cards.

Richard Bruton

Question:

127 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage increase in the medical card guidelines over the past five years; the way in which this compares with the growth in wages over this period; if he will link the medical card guidelines to earnings rather than to the cost of living index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28178/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The percentage increase in medical card guidelines since 1993 is 9.6 per cent while the corresponding increase in average industrial earnings is 15.5 per cent.

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. The income guidelines which have been drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility are revised annually in line continued with the consumer price index. As the medical card guidelines relate to an individual's ability to pay for health services without undue hardship the consumer price index is a more relevant guide than average industrial earnings.

I should add that 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. Medical cards may also be awarded to individual family members on this basis.