Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
336. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of all secondary entitlements associated with medical cards; the total cost of each entitlement; the average secondary cost of a medical card, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/23]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants’ services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, and maternity and infant care service.
It is acknowledged that medical card holders have access to some broader services beyond health service however, my Department does not hold information in relation to those schemes or the secondary costs arising.
