Medical Card Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Questions (381)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

381. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the provisions for medical card holders seeking to avail of in vitro fertilisation through the public health services. [36760/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Medical Card eligibility entitles medical card holders to receive health and social care services free of charge, as provided for under the General Medical Services Scheme. IVF is not a service that comes under the General Medical Services Scheme.

Drugs used as part of fertility treatment are, however, covered under the Drugs Payments Scheme and High Tech Drug Arrangements. Under the Drugs Payments Scheme, any drug costing over €144 per calendar month, incurred as part of a person's fertility treatment, is covered by the HSE.