Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
159 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if cancer patients are likely to receive medical cards for an indefinite duration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26604/04]
View answerNo person or group of persons other than those aged 70 years and over since 1 July 2001 is automatically entitled to a medical card. Assessments of eligibility of applicants for a medical card are, by legislation, a matter for the chief executive officers of the health boards. Assessment is based on the income and medical need of the individual. The period of the validity of the card is also a matter for the health board to decide.
Reviews of the databases of medical cards are carried out regularly. My Department is not aware of any plan to vary the current administrative arrangements in place in health boards.
