Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to persons 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.
Income guidelines are drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. Details of the income guidelines are set out in the following table and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Medical Card Income Guidelines
Effective from 1 January 2000
(Gross income less PRSI deductions)