asked the Minister for Health if he will give the income limits below which medical cards can be issued in each health board region, giving each category separately; and the date on which the limits were fixed.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out below in tabular form.
The limits for the Midland, Southern, Western, Mid-Western and North-Western Health Board areas were fixed with effect from January, 1972. The limits for the North-Eastern Health Board applied from February, 1972, and those for the South-Eastern Health Board from May, 1972. The limits for the Eastern Health Board date from August, 1972.
Following is the statement:
Health Board |
Weekly Income |
|||||
Single Person Living Alone |
Single Person Living with Family |
Married Couple |
Allowance per Child |
Allowance per outgoings on House |
Other Allowance |
|
1. Eastern |
£13 |
£11 |
£16 |
£1 |
Excess over £2 per week |
|
2. North-Eastern |
£10 |
£10 |
£15 |
£1 |
Excess over £2 per week |
|
3. South-Eastern |
£10£12 for single person with dependant children) |
£8 |
£15 |
£1.25 |
Rent/Rates over £2 per week.Loan/Rates over£4 per week. |
Reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to work. |
4. Midland |
£10 |
£10 |
£15 |
£1 |
Excess over £2 per week. |
Reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to work. |
5. Southern |
£13 |
£10 |
£16.50 |
£0.75 |
Excess over £1.25 per week. |
£2.25 for adult dependant with no income. £1 per week for married persons living in Cork City who were holders of medical cards, on 31st December, 1971. |
6. Western |
£8 |
£7 |
£15 |
£1 |
Excess over £2 per week. |
Cost of car for work; transport costs on merits. |
7. Mid-Western |
£10 |
£8 |
£16 |
£1 |
Excess over £1 per week. |
|
8. North-Western |
£10 |
£8 |
£16 |
£1 |
Excess over £2 per week. |
Cost of car for work use. |
NOTE:— Persons in receipt of the following pensions and allowances under the Social Welfare and Health Acts are regarded as eligible for medical card without any further assessment of means:— Old Age (Care) Allowance; Old Age (Non-Contributory) Pension; Widows' (Non-Contributory) Pension; Orphans' (Non-Contributory) Pension; Deserted Wife's Allowance; Blind Pension.