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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Friday, 15 Nov 1974

Vol. 275 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.

112.

asked the Minister for Health the present income limits for medical cards in each health board area.

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with your permission a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the official report.

Following is the statement.

STANDARDS adopted as guidelines by all Health Board areas with effect from 1st January 1974:

Per Week

Single person living alone

£14.00

Single person living with family

£12.00

Married couple

£20.00

Allowance for child under 16 years

£1.75

Allowance for other dependants

£2.75

Allowance for outgoings on house excess over

£2.00

Other allowances

Reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to work.

NOTE 1—Persons in receipt of the following pensions and allowances under the Social Welfare and Health Acts are regarded as eligible for medical cards 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. In addition to the above the following in certain areas are also regarded as eligible for medical cards without any further assessment of means:— Persons in receipt of Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Allowances, Disabled Persons (Maintenance) Allowances, (South Eastern, Southern and North Western) and Home Assistance (as a basic income) in the South Eastern Health Board area.

NOTE 2—Farmers: Valuation as such is not the sole determining factor in assessing applications from farmers. Individual cases are assessed on all relevant factors, including income, in accordance with the above standards.

113.

asked the Minister for Health why a medical card has not been issued to a person (name supplied) in County Clare who suffers from multiple sclerosis and who is completely incapacitated.

The decision on whether this person is eligible for a medical card is a matter for the Chief Executive Officer of the Mid Western Health Board. I am informed that the application was recently reviewed and that it has been decided to issue the card.

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