John Perry
Ceist:437 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will intervene on behalf of persons (details supplied) in County Sligo and have a medical card issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21472/98]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
John Perry
Ceist:440 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have a medical card approved for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the financial circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21475/98]
John Perry
Ceist:448 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo and have a medical card approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21484/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 437, 440 and 448 together.
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means and the legal responsibility, under the Health Act, 1970, for the determination of eligibility for medical cards is with the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to those who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
I, as Minister for Health and Children, do not have a function in the issue of medical cards to individuals. However, as the determination of eligibility of the persons concerned is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the North-Western Health Board I have asked him to have the matter investigated and to reply directly to the Deputy.