Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 7

Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

256 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate a situation whereby the Southern Health Board refused a medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Cork on the grounds that he received £5,000 redundancy last Christmas; if he will issue an instruction to the health board to issue the card in view of the fact that they are in breach of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter having particular regard to the fact that this person is receiving £72.40 unemployment benefit.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

A decision in relation to a person's eligibility for a medical card is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, I have been informed by the Southern Health Board that the chief executive officer has reviewed the person's eligibility and has decided to issue the person with a medical card.