Paul McGrath
Question:222 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the expected income thresholds to qualify for medical cards in 2004. [30366/03]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Income guidelines are drawn up each year by the chief executive officers of the health boards or authority. This is done to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility for a medical card. The guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. It should be noted that the guidelines are not statutorily binding. Even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines a medical card may be awarded if a chief executive officer considers that his or her medical needs or other circumstances justify it. All persons may apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide them for themselves or their dependants without hardship. I expect to be advised of the increased medical card guidelines, that will apply in 2004, in the new year.
Paul McGrath
Question:223 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he expects the number of persons to qualify for medical cards to increase in 2004. [30367/03]
Income guidelines are drawn up each year by the chief executive officers of the health boards or authority. This is done to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility for a medical card. The guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. They are not statutorily binding. Even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines a medical card may be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that his or her medical needs or other circumstances justify it. All persons may apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide them for themselves or their dependants without hardship. I expect to be advised of the increased medical card guidelines, that will apply in 2004, in the new year. The scheme is demand led. Medical cards are issued by chief executive officers to persons who are unable to arrange for their own medical needs without undue hardship. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately predict the number of persons that will qualify for a medical card in 2004.