Nuala Fennell
Ceist:90 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the current means tests which are applied to all cases by his Department.
Written Answers. - Health Means Test.
The health boards operate a means test for certain services and payments as follows:
1. Medical Cards: Income guidelines are available to assist in determining eligibility for medical cards; however, these are not binding, and chief executive officers have the discretion to issue medical cards to persons exceeding the guidelines, where the circumstances warrant it. As agreed under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, I have asked the chief executive officers of the health boards to review the methods of assessment for medical card eligibility so as to ensure uniformity and consistency in procedures throughout the country.
2. Income Maintenance Allowances: In assessing eligibility for the various allowances listed below, health boards are obliged to have regard to all of the applicant's income and the income of his or her spouse, if any. Income from supplementary welfare allowance is disregarded.
1. Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance.
2. Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Allowance.
3. Mobility Allowance.
4. Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance.
5. Blind Welfare Allowance.
In relation to the domiciliary care allowance which is payable in respect of handicapped children between the ages of two and 16 years, the parents' means is not taken into account when assessing eligibility.