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Medical Cards.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2008

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Ceisteanna (172)

Dr Martin Mansergh

Ceist:

267 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the case for supplying all cystic fibrosis suffers with medical cards; and the estimated cost of doing so. [5208/08]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. The assessment of eligibility to medical cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged over 70, who have an automatic entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.

I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole. However, my Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this exercise, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need is being undertaken and is expected to be completed by autumn 2008. As neither the Health Service Executive nor my Department hold data on the number of persons with Cystic Fibrosis who currently hold a medical card, it is not possible to provide a costing on extending this benefit to all persons with that condition.

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