Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020
199. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a review of medical card eligibility had been launched; the number of medical cards under review; the number of cards that have been extended following the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/20]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due 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.
There is no general review of medical card eligibility currently underway. However it should be noted that the HSE is required to undertake periodic reviews of eligibility in order to ensure that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility. Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to provide a medical card application system that is responsive and sensitive to people’s needs, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines.
Regarding data on the volume and outcome of eligibility reviews, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
