Leo Varadkar
Ceist:259 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the stage at which an asylum seeker becomes eligible for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14503/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 April 2008
Ceisteanna (267, 268)
Freagraí scríofa
The healthcare of asylum seekers is provided by the Health Service Executive in the context of general arrangements governing eligibility for public health services. The arrangements in place are not subject to residency and means criteria and such persons may avail of public health services on the same basis as medical card holders, while awaiting a decision on an application to remain in this country. Asylum seekers are given medical cards for the period during which their application for refugee status is being considered. If refugee status is granted, then they are regarded as ordinarily resident and come under the usual rules for entitlement to health services.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:260 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 was refused a medical card; and if their application will be re-examined to allow a medical card to be issued. [14506/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services qualify for a medical card, which entitles them to a range of health services free of charge. 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 did not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.
The assessment of eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged 70 and over, who have an automatic statutory entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants (income and relevant outgoings). The GP visit card assessment threshold is 50% higher than the medical card threshold.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.