Charlie O'Connor
Question:478 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on demands made by the University Students of Ireland that he reintroduce free medical care for all third level students in the State. [15167/03]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
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 eligible for a medical card. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the chief executive officer's opinion, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
Persons aged 16 to 25, including students, who are financially dependent on their parents are entitled to a medical card if their parents are medical card holders. Those who are dependants of non medical card holders are not normally entitled to a medical card except where they have an entitlement under EU regulations or where they are in receipt of a disability allowance.
Students who are financially independent of their parents are entitled to apply for a medical card in their own right. They are assessed on the same criteria as all other applicants. The decision on whether a person is regarded as a dependant or as being financially independent is made by a health board's chief executive officer on the basis of the circumstances of each case.
It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of an appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.