Vol. 536 No. 2
286 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the position with regard to medical cards soon to be made available to all persons who have reached 70 years of age; and if the spouse of a qualifying person will also receive a card. [13611/01]
In the budget 2001 package, this Government announced its intention to extend the eligibility for medical cards to all persons aged 70 and over regardless of means or hardship with effect on 1 July 2001. Spouses of those aged 70 or over will not have automatic entitlement unless they too qualify on age grounds or are deemed eligible for a medical card by the health board chief executive officers in the usual manner.
