Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:150 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if payments to farmers under the REP scheme are taken into account in the calculation of income for medical card eligibility. [22680/03]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Under the Health Act 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, other than for persons aged seventy years and over who are automatically entitled to a medical card. 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.
It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.
I am advised that income received by farmers under the REP scheme would be included by health boards in the calculation of income to assess medical card eligibility.