Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 January 2014
223. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department are considering allowing the small number of women who have received Anti D and have side effects but are testing negative to receive medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/14]
View answerMedical cards are provided to persons who, under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, are, in the opinion of the HSE unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. Currently, persons affected by Symphysiotomy or Thalidomide are automatically entitled to a medical card. Outside of these circumstances, all applications for a medical card are assessed on the basis of an applicant’s means under the assessment guidelines. There are no proposals for any amendments thereon.
Under the legislation, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE. The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of the HSE operates the medical card system and contact details are as follows: 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.
