Dinny McGinley
Question:293 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued in County Donegal for each of the years from 1990 to 2000. [10941/00]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
In response to the Deputy, the number of people covered by medical cards in County Donegal as at 1 January each year is as follows:
|
Year |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
No. |
66,948 |
66,229 |
68,336 |
69,277 |
69,916 |
70,727 |
69,768 |
69,524 |
67,253 |
63,504 |
66,448 |
Tom Enright
Question:294 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to review the existing medical card guidelines; and if he will direct the health boards to be more flexible in granting medical cards to patients who are suffering from serious medical health problems. [10959/00]
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. 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-her medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.
The Deputy may be aware that the programme for prosperity and fairness refers to the fact that health board chief executive officers are examining the operation of the medical card scheme and will consult with the social partners by the end of 2000. Particular emphasis will be placed on the needs of families with children and on removing anomalies and barriers to take-up, including information deficits.