(Limerick East): 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 medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.
Income guidelines are drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist 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.
Assessment procedures are also a matter for the chief executive officers. A working group has been established by the chief executive officers to examine the manner in which eligibility for medical cards is determined in each board and to make recommendations as to how procedures might be improved in the interests of efficiency and service to the public. The question of travelling expenses incurred in travelling to work is among the matters being considered by the group. It is expected the group will have completed its report shortly.
I will keep in mind Deputy Deasy's views on travelling expenses. Under the general guidelines costs over £13.50 per week are reckonable for an allowance covering expenses incurred in travelling to work.