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Medical Cards.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005

Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Questions (200, 201, 202, 203)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

205 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if all of the health boards have implemented the new income thresholds for medical cards; if not, the health boards which have not done so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3559/05]

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Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

206 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will elaborate on her commitment given in a statement on the health Estimate 2005 on 18 November 2004 that children with illnesses that persist from year to year will not have to re-apply for a medical card each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3647/05]

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Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

218 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify her statement of 18 November 2004 on the publication of the health Estimate that approximately 70,000 discretionary medical cards are issued; the way in which this information is obtained and compiled; the timescale she is referring to; if this number of cards is an annual figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3728/05]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 206 and 218 together.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the assessment for medical cards.

The new income guidelines, as agreed by the chief executive officers of the former health boards, have been introduced since January 2005. These guidelines reflect the 7.5% increase on the 2004 figures, as announced by me in November 2004, and also include substantial increases in respect of dependent children. Parents of children with illnesses that persist from year to year can be assured that they will not have to reapply for a medical card each year alleviating the anxiety of wondering if their medical card will continue. The assumption is that this will apply to a small number of children with very serious illnesses, where a review would normally result in automatic renewal of the medical card. An operational group overseeing the medical card scheme has been asked to put processes in place that limit the need for frequent reviews in these cases.

The procedures and arrangements in place locally in respect of the administration of the general medical services scheme are matters for the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's area to decide. This would include the issue of reviews of eligibility of card holders and the frequency of such reviews.

An estimated 70,000 discretionary medical cards reflect the number of cards in the system. This figure is based on data from the former health boards. These cards were issued under the discretionary powers of the chief executive officers under the Health Act 1970. The Health Service Executive is addressing, in conjunction with my Department, the drawing up of guidelines governing the issue of discretionary medical cards.

John Perry

Question:

207 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a medical card application for a person (details supplied) will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3652/05]

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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the assessment of applications for medical cards. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy

Question No. 208 answered with QuestionNo. 193.
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