Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1094. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for increasing the income limits medical card assessments for persons over 70 years of age as provided for in the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/20]
View answer1258. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the budget 2020 over-70s medical card income thresholds will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21811/20]
View answer1263. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order will be issued to the HSE in order to give effect to the provisions of the legislation on the new thresholds for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21834/20]
View answer1264. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if legislation will be introduced to ensure the new income eligibility guidelines to qualify for the medical card as announced in budget 2020 are given legal effect; if funding is in place to finance the measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21837/20]
View answer1265. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when the commencement order will issue to the HSE to give effect to the provisions of the legislation on the new thresholds for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21857/20]
View answer1287. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when section 2 of the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020, which increases the income limit for the over-70s medical card, will be commenced. [21992/20]
View answer1333. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when the changes to the GMS for persons over 70 years of age will become active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/20]
View answer1335. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when the proposed increase in the income limit for medical cards will commence. [22173/20]
View answer1352. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the threshold will be increased from €900 to €1,050 for persons applying for a medical card that are over 70 years of age. [22292/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1094, 1258, 1263 to 1265, inclusive, 1287, 1333, 1335 and 1352 together.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was enacted on 2nd August 2020. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to the Health Act 1970 (as amended) to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 per week for a couple (currently €900 per week). The Government is finalising decisions on the associated funding for this measure and the implementation date for the commencement of this provision.
