Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2013

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Questions (584)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

584. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if the income guidelines for a medical card for those aged between 66 and 70 have increased since 2003; if he will detail the current thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30304/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The income guidelines for Medical Cards were last increased in 2005 in line with increases in Social Welfare payments. The current income guidelines for applicants aged between 66 and 70 are set out in the following table as requested by the Deputy.

-	Medical Card Net Weekly Rate	GP Visit Card Net Weekly Rate
Single Person Living Alone	€201.50	€302.00
Single Person Living with Family	€173.50	€260.00
Married Couple / Single Parent Families with Dependent Children	€298.00	€447.00

These income guidelines can be found online at the following link: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/mc/MCGPVCincomeguidelines.pdf.