Ivor Callely
Ceist:94 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if all mentally handicapped people over 16 years of age are entitled to a medical card in view of their handicap; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.
Under the Health Act, 1970 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 provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants.
Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. However, these guidelines are not statutorily binding and, even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. In view of this special provision, I do not think that it is justifiable to extend an automatic entitlement to a medical card to any specific group without any reference to their means, particularly given the many areas of pressing need in the health services and the limited resources available to meet them.
Every person who is in genuine need of a medical card must, of course, receive one, and I am satisfied that the health boards give sympathetic consideration to applications made on the grounds of special medical needs.