Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Medical Cards.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

314 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the medical card income guidelines to ensure that a couple dependent on invalidity pension are not deemed ineligible by virtue of the fact that their social welfare payment is £5 above the medical card income guideline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11697/01]

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 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.

I am anxious that the increases in social welfare payments announced in the budget will not lead to medical card holders losing their medical cards and have expressed my concern in this regard to the health board chief executive officers. The position regarding couples on invalidity pensions, as 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 of these couples is capable of being appropriately dealt with under the current eligibility arrangements. In addition, in the budget 2001 package, the Government announced its intention to extend the eligibility for a medical card to all persons aged 70 and over regardless of means to come into effect on 1 July 2001.

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. Particular emphasis is being placed on the needs of families with children and on removing anomalies and barriers to take-up, including information deficits. 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.