Vol. 557 No. 5
193 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has made financial provision to allow the chief executive officers of health boards to index up to income guidelines for medical cards in 2003 in accord with inflation; if he has received reports from the health boards on the prospective increase in medical card guidelines in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23007/02]
Following from their statutory responsibility for determining eligibility, the health board-authority chief executive officers revise the medical card income guidelines each year by reference to the consumer price index. The pre-budget Estimate for 2003 provides for an amount of €970 million for the General Medical Services (Payments) Board, an increase of €230 million, 31%, over the 2002 figure. The eligibility guidelines for medical cards will be reviewed by the chief executive officers in the context of this funding level. I cannot as yet say what the guidelines will be.
