Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
93 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will review the decision to include interest from special savings incentive accounts in determining eligibility for medical cards, especially in view of the strong efforts made by the Government to promote these accounts; if it is intended to include this money when assessing eligibility for the new general practitioner card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31572/04]
View answerEntitlement to health services is primarily based on residency and 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 or authority except for persons aged 70 years and over, who are automatically eligible for a medical card. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
Health board and authority chief executive officers have discretion in issuing medical cards and a range of income sources are excluded by the health boards when assessing medical card eligibility. Someone having an income that exceeds the guidelines, may still receive a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship. The issue of the treatment of special savings incentive accounts proceeds in the assessment of means for a medical card is under consideration with a view to ensuring that nobody is disadvantaged under the scheme.
