Vol. 535 No. 1
359 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if the £6,000 rent a room scheme, as outlined in the Finance Act 2001, will have an impact on income limits, when assessing individuals for qualification for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12220/01]
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 currently 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.
The chairman of the health board chief executive officers' group has been requested to ascertain if income under the £6,000 rent a room scheme, as outlined in the Finance Act 2001, will have an impact on income limits, and I will respond to the Deputy immediately on receipt of this information.
