Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
273. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the means thresholds and savings thresholds for medical card, and for GP only cards, both for those under 70 years and those aged 70 and over, when the recently announced extension of GP cards is complete; his plans to index either or both to the trend in any income indicator for future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41989/23]
View answerEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
The current medical card thresholds are outlined below by cohort:
• Single person living alone under 66 - € 184.00
• Single person living alone 66-69 - € 201.50
• Single person living with family under 66 - € 164.00
• Single person living with family 66-69 - € 173.50
• Couple, married/cohabiting/civil partners, one parent family under 66 - € 266.50
• Couple, married/cohabiting/civil partners, one parent family 66-69 - € 298.00
Income, savings, investments and property (except for applicant’s own home) are taken into account in the means test.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. In November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple.
As provided for under the GP Agreement 2023, the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all children aged 6 and 7 years commenced from the 11th of August, and the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all people who earn the median household income or less is underway. The expansion to the median household income will be completed in two phases, the 11th of September 2023, now commenced, and the 13th of November 2023.
Following the recent commencement of the first phase of the median income expansion, the current qualifying weekly financial thresholds for a GP visit card are as follows:
• Single person living alone: €361
• Single person living with family: €322
• Married or co-habiting couple with or without dependents: €524
• Lone parent: €524
After the commencement of the second phase of the median income expansion from the 13th of November, the qualifying weekly financial thresholds for a GP visit card will expand further to:
• Single person living alone aged up to 69: €418
• Single person living with family: €373
• Married or co-habiting couple with or without dependents: €607
• Lone parent: €607
All children under 8 years of age and persons aged 70 years and over are eligible for a GP visit card on the basis of their age. No changes are made under the GP Agreement 2023 in relation to the qualifying weekly financial thresholds for 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, including the current medical card income thresholds, under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
