Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (1088)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

1088. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that all pensioners between 66 and 70 years are over the threshold financially for a medical card because the income limit for a single person is €201 and their pension is €238, he will consider disregarding more outgoings such as refuse, heating, fuel, electricity for that age group in view of the fact that the current outgoings that are disregarded are mostly not applicable to that age group in view of the fact that their mortgages are generally paid off and they do not have to travel to work or have childcare expenses, or if he will consider raising the income limit for eligibility to a more reasonable figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1653/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means of the applicant and his/her dependants.

In assessing medical card entitlement for people under 70 years of age, calculations are based on income net of income tax and PRSI and allowances are given for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent/mortgage payments; in respect of childcare costs and in respect of expenses incurred in travel to work. Expenditure in relation to medical costs will be considered. Applicants whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances/payments, which are in excess of the financial guidelines, are granted a medical card.

Approximately 1.85 million people are covered by a medical card, an increase of almost 25% since the end of 2009. The cost of the medical card scheme in 2012 is estimated to have been approximately €1.9 billion. There are currently no proposals to extend the list of outgoings/expenses which are considered when assessing medical card eligibility for any particular age group.