Michael McGrath
Question:406 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if persons who have undergone an organ transplant operation are automatically entitled to a medical card. [1245/10]
View answerTuesday, 19 January 2010
Questions (347, 348, 349)
Written answers
At present, medical cards are granted primarily on the basis of means and individual circumstances. Under the Health Act, 2004, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.
Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of general practitioner services. In 2005, the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on lower incomes who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. In June 2006, I agreed with the HSE to raise the assessment guidelines for GP visit cards and these are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards. For medical card and GP visit card applications, the HSE considers an applicant's income after tax and PRSI are deducted, rather than total income. Allowances are also made for expenses on childcare, rent and mortgage costs and the cost of travel to work.
I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:407 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for a medical card for the over 70s in June 2009 has not been informed to date of the outcome of their application; and if she will ascertain the position. [1246/10]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Michael Ring
Question:408 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card application can be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of incorrect information supplied to the applicant. [1247/10]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.