Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide assistance to a person (details supplied) who requires a number of scans and cannot afford to pay for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28618/16]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on the undue financial hardship test. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure, and every application must be assessed on that basis.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds his or her income threshold, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The person in question should contact the HSE directly to discuss whether they may be eligible for a medical card. HSE local health offices provide assistance to anyone completing the medical card application form.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
