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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Care Eligibility.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

238 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some health boards cut people off medical cards due to the fact they treat the carer's allowance as income; if he will rectify this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/99]

Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Income guidelines are drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. On the basis of the information available to me, I understand that the carer's allowance is generally not treated as income by the health boards in assessing medical card eligibility. I will write to the chief executive officers asking them to address this issue with a view to ensuring that the general interpretation is applied consistently.

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