Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
492. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason persons (details supplied) cannot get a medical card for their child despite holding one themselves; the legislation which precludes this; his plans to change this in view of the frequency of cross border working arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/17]
View answerUnder 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.
Currently under EU regulation 883/2004, workers who pursue their employment in one member state and reside in another member state (returning to that country at least once a week) are entitled to receive healthcare in their state of residence or in the state where they are employed and paying their Social Security contributions.
Workers residing in Ireland (i.e. returning at least once a week) but employed elsewhere within the EU are entitled to a medical card unless they are subject to Irish social security legislation system, i.e. a person is contributing to or receiving a benefit from the Social Security system of the State. The spouse of such persons is also entitled to a medical card provided they are not subject to Irish social security legislation. In the case of the children of such persons they are entitled to a medical card provided the spouse is not subject to Irish social security legislation.
The HSE has informed me that a medical card has been issued in this case.
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
