Vol. 547 No. 1
544 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation in relation to the automatic entitlement to a medical card for people who suffer with autism; if there is a different treatment for children compared with adults in these situations; if sufferers from autism whose families receive domiciliary care allowance automatically qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1724/02]
The determination of eligibility for medical cards is a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer are unable to provide medical services for themselves and/or their dependants without undue hardship. It is possible for a medical card to be issued to one member of a family but there is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for sufferers from autism or in cases where a domiciliary care allowance is paid. However, persons suffering from autism are entitled to apply to their local health board for a long-term illness card which entitles the holder to a range of prescribed approved drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition.
The domiciliary care allowance is paid by health boards in respect of eligible children up to the age of sixteen years who are so severely disabled or mentally handicapped that they require care and attention which is considerably in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.
