the Minister for Health and Children if he will review an application for a medical card by persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [11256/01]
Written Answers - Medical Cards.
137.
John McGuinness
Question:138 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 14 December 2000, an application for a medical card by persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny can be expedited; and the reason a previous application in the same name but with a different address was not approved. [11257/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
The issue of determination of eligibility of persons for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, which is, in the case of these two questions, the South Eastern Health Board. I have contacted the chief executive officer on behalf of the persons to whom the questions relate and asked that he has the matters investigated and that he contact the Deputy directly.
Róisín Shortall
Question:139 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the precise procedure on the way in which medical card guidelines are decided upon; the procedures in place to deal with discrepancies in the medical card system; if he has satisfied himself with such procedures; the plans he has to reform such procedures in order that they are more responsive to changes in the social welfare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11274/01]
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 to income guidelines as well as to any other individual factors relevant to the decision. 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 to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. However, the 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. Medical cards may also be awarded to individual family members on this basis. 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 operation of the medical card scheme is the subject of a review being carried out by the health board chief executive officers in keeping with a commitment under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is being conducted in consultation with the social partners. Particular emphasis is being placed on removing anomalies as well as on the needs of families with children and on barriers to take-up, including information deficits.
In addition, the whole question of eligibility is being examined as part of the new health strategy. In recognition of the cross-sectoral issues impacting on health, an interdepartmental group is also planned to promote cross-departmental linkages and will be made up of a number of Departments, including the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.