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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Medical Cards.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

427 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if revised income guidelines for medical card applicants, to apply in 2000, have been drawn up; when these guidelines will be circulated; if a copy of the guidelines will be supplied when finalised; and if a copy will be placed in the Oireachtas Library. [1211/00]

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)

£ per week

Single person living alone (under 66)

93.50

Single person living alone (66-69)

101.50

Single person living alone (70-79)

135.00

Single person living alone (80 or over)

142.00

Single person living with family (under 66)

83.00

Single person living with family (66-69)

88.00

£ per week

Single person living with family (70-79)

117.00

Single person living with family (80 or over)

122.00

Married couple (under 66)

135.00

Married couple (66-69)

151.00

Married couple (70-79)

202.00

Married couple (80 or over)

212.00

Allowance for each child under 16

16.50

Allowance for other dependants

18.00

Allowance for house expenses: (e.g. rent, mortgage) – in excess of

16.50

Allowance for cost of travelling to work:Cost allowed per week over

15.00

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