asked the Minister for Health the differences between the requirements for eligibility of students for medical cards now and before the decision was taken to withdraw medical cards from students; if income from scholarships and grants will be counted as means for the purposes of determining eligibility; if living at home rent-free will be counted as means for determining eligibility; the percentage of students he estimates will qualify for medical cards as a result of his recent announcement; and when the health boards will be able to operate on the basis of his recent announcement.
Written Answers. - Students' Medical Cards.
438.
The main difference in the requirements for eligibility for students is that they no longer qualify automatically for medical cards and that family circumstances may be taken into account in determining their eligibility.
The implementation and interpretation of the law on eligibility is a matter for the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board who will determine eligibility on the basis of the facts of each individual case.
Income from scholarships and from other benefits for purposes of meeting living expenses will normally be reckoned as means in assessing eligibility for medical cards.
A student who is living at home in rent-free accommodation will normally be regarded as a dependant of his parents and their financial circumstances will be taken into account in considering an application for a medical card. It is estimated that 35 per cent to 40 per cent of students will retain eligibility for medical cards. This percentage is not altered by the recent agreed interpretation. Health boards are now in the process of implementing the provisions of the Health Services (No. 3) Regulations, 1983.