Medical Card Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Ceisteanna (459)

John Halligan

Ceist:

459. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that there is an automatic entitlement to medical cards where the applicant and their family are solely dependent on social welfare payments, his views that it is fair and just that where an adjustment has been made to a social protection payment due to a means assessment, that this would in turn preclude them from their entitlement to a medical card even though their income remains the same, as it would be, were they solely in receipt of a social protection payment in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40167/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family can qualify for a medical card. The HSE awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and, therefore, it assesses applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner.

The HSE gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines. Under the guidelines, "applicants whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare allowances/ benefits or Health Service Executive allowances, which are in excess of the Income Guidelines (either at first application or on renewal), should be granted a medical card".

Under the Guidelines, applicants are assessed on the basis of means when there is income in addition to that derived from Social Welfare. There are a number of income sources that are disregarded in assessing income and these can be found in the HSE's Medical Card/G.P. Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines which are available on the HSE website http://www.hse.ie