Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Questions (253)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

253. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the Health Service Executive reviews of eligibility that are to be conducted in a risk-assessed manner for approximately 1 million medical card holders during 2014, the number of reviews that have taken place to date in 2014; the number of medical cards discontinued as a result of these reviews; the number of reviews where a persons income exceeded the weekly income amounts set out in the health service medical card national assessment guidelines but a card was retained on the basis of the exercise of discretion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31751/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.