Vol. 554 No. 5
1057 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders are liable for hospital stay charges as it is the understanding of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11, that these charges should only apply to people who do not have full eligibility for health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16160/02]
Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in 1991, everyone, regardless of income, is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges, from which medical card holders are exempt. The public hospital statutory in-patient charge in respect of each day during which a person is maintained is €36. The maximum payment in any 12 consecutive months is €360. These charges are additional to the private or semi-private accommodation charge in a public hospital. Any patient who elects to be treated privately is liable for the appropriate private or semi-private accommodation charges and consultant's fees in addition to the statutory charges.
Charges for long stay care are covered by two sets of regulations – the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965 and the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987. Medical card holders are liable for charges raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965 and are exempt from charges raised under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations.
1058 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an application for a medi cal card can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [16174/02]
Responsibility for a medical card in this case rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.
