Vol. 547 No. 1
458 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that several categories of social welfare recipient (details supplied) who were below the income limits for medical card qualification before 1 January 2002 are now above the income limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/02]
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Other than for persons aged 70 years and over who are automatically entitled to a medical card, 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 by the chief executive officers 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. 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.
My Department advised the health board chief executive officers last year and again this year that medical card holders should not lose their cards because of increases in social welfare rates announced in the budget.
