Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

329 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason income from home help is assessed for medical card and not for supplementary welfare allowance in the Southern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/99]

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 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 or other circumstances would justify this.

I have asked the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board to investigate the assessment of income from home help for entitlement to a medical card and to reply directly to you.