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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1985

Vol. 359 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Services Card.

587.

asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 had an income of £10,700 for the year to date of redundancy on 4 March 1985, but, with redundancy payments added, had an income of £14,172 after redundancy, if he will arrange for a hospital services card to issue to him urgently as the current card runs out on 31 May 1985. He is due to go into hospital for some days for treatment for a recurring ear problem.

The issue of hospital services cards is a matter for the appropriate health board. I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that there is no record of the receipt of a formal application for a hospital services card from the person referred to by the Deputy. I have recently increased the income ceiling for entitlement to a hospital services card to £13,500. This new limit will apply from 1 June 1985 and relates to income for the year ended 5 April 1985.

Income for hospital services card entitlement purposes is based on income as calculated for income tax purposes. In the determination of taxable income, statutory redundancy payments are disregarded, and, consequently, such payments are also disregarded in determining eligibility for a hospital services card. If the person referred to makes formal application to the Eastern Health Board, 1 James's Street, Dublin 8, I do not foresee any problem in the issue of a hospital services card if the income is established to be as stated. An application form has been sent to the person concerned.

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