Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:80 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the cost involved in providing free medical cards for children under seven years of age, irrespective of family means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9232/96]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Limerick East): My Department does not have data on the cost involved in providing free medical cards for children under seven years of age, irrespective of family means.
It should be noted that entitlement to medical cards is primarily based on means. 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. In this regard medical cards can also be issued to individual family members.
It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship. I am satisfied that health boards give sympathetic consideration to such applications when the circumstances warrant it.