Vol. 525 No. 2
499 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the level of medical attention required by Down's syndrome persons; if he will ensure that each Down's syndrome person is entitled to a medical card personally by right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/00]
The level of medical attention required by persons with Down's syndrome is taken into account when deciding an individual's entitlement to a medical card. However, 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.
In view of this special provision I do not feel it justifiable, nor did previous Governments, on health policy grounds, to extend an automatic entitlement to a medical card to any specific group without any reference to their means, as a general rule. It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.
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.
I have no plans at present to extend the medical card scheme to all persons with Down's Syndrome.
Question No. 500 taken with Question No. 417.
