Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
136 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there was a 14.8% reduction in the number of medical card holders in County Mayo for the period 1997 to 2004 when the average national reduction for this period was 7.75%; and the remedial action that will be taken to restore medical card coverage in County Mayo. [26525/04]
View answerFrom information available to the Department compiled by the GMS (Payments) Board, the percentage difference in medical card coverage in County Mayo for the period 1 January 1997 to 1 October 2004 was a decrease of 9.67% or 8,319 persons. The average national decrease for this period was 6.08% or 101,500. The determination of eligibility of applications for medical card is a matter by legislation for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. Assessment of eligibility is based upon the applicant's income and his or her medical need. Applicants have the right of appeal in cases of refusal and are normally advised of this by their local health board.
Generally, the reduction in recent years in the number of medical cards may be attributed to the increase in the number of people in employment and also the improved economic situation nationally. Another factor which affects this area is the review by health boards of medical card databases. Since 2003 this has led to the removal of more than 100,000 inappropriate entries from these databases. Reasons for deletions included duplicate entries, change of address, cases where the medical card holder is deceased, ineligibility due to changed circumstances and normal reviews. The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage, as set out in the programme for Government. This will focus on people on low incomes. The timing of the introduction of the extension will be decided having regard to the prevailing budgetary position.
