asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the fact that wage increases have been offset by cost of living increases and that doctors' fees for visits have also increased steeply, he will instruct county managers to liberalise the present strict means test for medical cards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Means Test.
1.
There are implications in this question which I cannot accept. For instance, the statement that "wages increases have been offset by cost of living increases" is, in my view, a grave exaggeration and far from there being a "strict means test" for medical cards, all the evidence appears to indicate that the test applied is by no means rigid.
Section 14 of the Health Act, 1953, requires health authorities to provide, without charge, general medical services for persons "who are unable, by their own industry or other lawful means" to provide the services for themselves or their dependants. The determination of eligibility for the services is a question for the appropriate health authority and from inquiries I have made I am satisfied an income scale is not used in making such determination, each case being considered objectively and all the relevant factors are taken into account—including medical expenses. Even, therefore, if I had the statutory power to issue an instruction such as is suggested by the Deputy, which I have not, I do not feel that I would have any justification for doing so.