Vol. 408 No. 1
37 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Health whether he has satisfied himself with the level of support with medical costs provided to families who are only marginally in excess of the medical card guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the 1970 Health Act, medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and, even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer feels that this is necessary in the light of the individual's circumstances.
In view of the discretionary powers of the chief executive officers to issue medical cards, I am satisfied that no one is denied essential health services due to inability to pay.
