Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 7

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Richard Bruton

Question:

309 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will apply net income as the test for medical card eligibility in view of the fact this has been done with family income supplement; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the non-allowance of £16 per week on rent and £14.50 per week on travel means that the medical card income guidelines after deduction of these two non-allowable amounts is below the current social welfare rate for people aged under 66; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5127/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

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 to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.

Income guidelines have been drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. However these guidlines 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/her medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be awarded to individual family members on this basis.

The guidelines, which are based on gross income less PRSI, currently allow for outgoings on rent in excess of £16 per week and expenses in excess of £14.50 incurred in travelling to work. Outgoings in excess of these amounts would have the effect of increasing the medical card guidelines for the applicant.