Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1540. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that the increase in the pension in budget 2023 is pushing some pensioners slightly over the threshold for a medical card, thereby leaving them worse off; if he will increase the threshold for medical cards proportionally with the increase in his Department’s budget to ensure that this does not happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1683/23]
View answer1541. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that the increase in the pension in budget 2023 is pushing some pensioners over the threshold for a medical card; if he will take steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1684/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1540 and 1541 together.
For people aged 70 or older, the medical card assessment is based on gross income. The weekly gross income thresholds for eligibility to a medical card for those aged 70 and over were increased in November 2020 and are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. It should be noted that people aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
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. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. In addition, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card. It is also important to note that if a person's sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this payment is in excess of the current income thresholds, these people will be awarded a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review, including in relation to current medical card income thresholds. More generally, Government considered and agreed the range of measures announced as part of Budget 2023 taking account of the broader general economic and overall fiscal outlook.
