Paul McGrath
Ceist:160 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria which apply to returned emigrants and non-nationals who paid social security abroad and who want to avail of a medical card in Ireland. [16516/97]
Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is based on residence and means. Any person, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the health boards as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility, category 1, i.e. medical card holders, or limited eligibility category 2 for health services. Health boards normally regard a person as ordinarily resident in Ireland if he-she satisfies the health board that it is his-her intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.
Under EU regulations, persons taking up permanent residence in Ireland who are in receipt of a social security pension from another EU member state, who are not in receipt of an Irish Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs pension as either a recipient or dependant and are not employed or self-employed here are entitled to a medical card irrespective of means. Otherwise, they are entitled to health services on the same basis as persons normally resident here.
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 drawn up by 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, those whose income exceeds these guidelines may qualify for a medical card if their health board considers that they are unable to provide necessary medical care for themselves or their family.