Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 2

Written Answers. - Medical Card Qualification.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

176 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if he will add Addison's Disease to the list of long term illnesses qualifying for the medical card; and if he will review the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7, for a medical card.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

It is not intended to extend the long term illness scheme to include further conditions.

Persons with this condition who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board are unable to meet their medical expenses without undue hardship will be granted a medical card. Other persons with the condition are entitled to a drug cost subsidisation card which limits their expenditure on prescribed medicines to £32 per month.

The question of determining eligibility for a medical card in individual cases is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Accordingly, in this instance the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.