Gary Gannon
Question:555. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health what are, or will be, the differences between the entitlements of HAA card holders and holders of the ‘enhanced medical card’. [20411/24]
View answerWednesday, 8 May 2024
Questions (555)
Written answers
Eligibility for HAA services is based on the Health Amendment Act 1996. The purpose of the 1996 Act was to meet the health care needs of persons who contracted hepatitis C from a blood product or blood transfusion. It is generally accepted that these hepatitis C patients are a particularly vulnerable group who have specific health needs as a result of their infection.
Separately, Government has previously approved the provision of health services and supports (sometimes referred to as “enhanced medical card”) in certain specific circumstances, for example the Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which are provided to defined groups in acknowledgement of circumstances experienced while resident in relevant institutions. There is relevant legislation in each case, for example the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act) and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023, which make provision for a range of primary and community health services in Ireland for eligible persons who qualify under each Scheme, including general practitioner services, acute inpatient services, drugs, medicines and surgical appliances, nursing services, home help services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services.