Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 1

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

191 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, under current income guidelines and notwithstanding the proposed extension of medical card entitlement to all applicants aged 70 years from July 2001, the following categories of social welfare pensioner will not be entitled to medical cards when their pensions are increased in April 2001: single contributory and non-contributory old age pensioner aged under 70 years residing with a family, married contributory old age pensioner aged under 70 years with spouse under 66 allowance and married non-contributory old age pensioner aged under 70 years with spouse over 66 allowance; if he will take steps to synchronise medical card guidelines with old age pension rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6563/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Under legislation, the issuing of medical cards to eligible persons is a matter for the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. In making such decisions, chief executive officers have regard, inter alia, to income guidelines, which are adjusted annually in line with the consumer price index as well as to any other individual factors relevant to the decision.

The decision to give automatic medical card eligibility from 1 July to persons aged 70 years and over was a logical consequence of the three year doubling of income limits for that age group begun in March 1999 and concluding in March of this year. The position in relation to the categories of persons referred to by the Deputy is that their medical card eligibility will continue to be assessed in the normal manner and I am satisfied that the situation regarding those groups is capable of being appropriately dealt with under the current eligibility arrangements.

The Deputy may be aware that in keeping with the commitment under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness the health board chief executive officers are examining the operations of the medical card scheme in consultation with the social partners. The health board chief executives have indicated the review will be concluded by mid-year. I understand that the area of income guidelines will form part of the review.