Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 4

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Billy Timmins

Question:

114 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if the new income rates for qualification for a medical card have been improved; when they will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6411/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 are 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. Details of the information requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table.

Medical Card Income Guidelines

Effective from 1 March 2000

(Gross income less PRSI deductions)

Single person living alone (under 66)	£93.50
Single person living alone (66-69)	£101.50
Single person living alone (70-79)	£168.50
Single person living alone (80 or over)	£177.50
Single person living with family (under 66)	£83.00
Single person living with family (66-69)	£88.00
Single person living with family (70-79)	£146.00
Single person living with family (80 or over)	£152.00
Married couple (under 66)	£135.00
Married couple (66-69)	£151.00
Married couple (70-79)	£252.50
Married couple (80 or over)	£265.00
Allowance for each child under 16	£16.50
Allowance for other dependants	£18.00
Allowance for house expenses:(e.g. rent, mortgage) – in excess of	£16.50
Allowance for cost of travelling to work:Cost allowed per week over	£15.00

Note:

With effect from 1 March 2000 the income guidelines for persons aged 70 years or over have increased. This represents the implementation of the second stage of the budget 1999 decision to double the medical card income guidelines over a three year period, which commenced on 1 March 1999. The third stage will be implemented in March 2001.

Richard Bruton

Question:

115 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the exact circumstances in which British or EU pensioners can qualify for a medical card without a means test. [6417/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Arrangements under EU regulations supersede the provisions of the Irish eligibility system in respect of certain categories of nationals of other EU states. Where this arises health boards are obliged to provide health services, on the same basis as to medical card holders, to these people on behalf of their home State, which retains responsibility for the costs involved in the provision of the services.

As a result, pensioners in receipt of social security pensions from other EU states who are ordinarily resident in Ireland, who are not covered by an Irish social welfare pension, as recipient or dependant, and who are not employed or self-employed here, are entitled to receive health services free of charge and are normally issued with a medical card.