Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 2

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Noel Ahern

Question:

96 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the entitlements of an old age pensioner who has a medical card; if he or she is entitled to optical services; if the service is free; the amount the optician is paid; if the amounts for the eye test, the lens and the frame can be provided separately; the procedure if the applicant chooses a more expensive pair of spectacles; if the balance of cash can be paid; if the entire free scheme is lost; and the reason a pensioner can be charged £120 in this regard. [12258/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Under the ophthalmic schemes operated by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, adult medical card holders, which now includes all persons over the age of 70 years, are entitled to free eye sight testing and free prescription spectacles where these are found to be necessary. Practitioners who have a contract either with a health board or with the Eastern Regional Health Authority are paid in accordance with an agreed scale of charges. Currently, practitioners are paid a fee of €18.86 in respect of a routine sight test and €42.22 for either reading or distant vision spectacles and €84.13 for bifocal spectacles. These spectacles are supplied from an approved range of frames. Where a medical card holder requires a medical eye examination or other prescription items, such as tints, prisms or spheres, these will also be provided free of charge under the schemes. If a medical card holder decides to waive their medical card entitlement and obtains any services from an optician in a private capacity, all costs incurred for such services, are a matter between the patient and the optician and are not funded under the terms of the schemes.