The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant, his/her partner and dependants. Under the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of the HSE operates the medical card system and the lady to whom the Deputy refers should contact that office to see if she meets the criteria for entitlement to a medical card. The web address is www.pcrs.ie, phone/fax numbers: 01 8647100/ 8343589 and postal address: HSE, Finance Shared Services, Primary Care Reimbursement Service, Exit 5 M50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.