Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1362. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which persons with stroke living in nursing homes must pay for rehabilitation services privately or receive no services; if he will ensure that this practice no longer continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28095/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical cardholders) and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits. Determination of an individual's eligibility status is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
Persons with full eligibility are entitled to a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultants services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service. Other services such as allied health professional services may be available to medical card holders. With the exception of prescribed drugs and medicines, which are subject to a €2.50 charge per prescribed item (maximum of €25 month per month per individual/family), for those under 70 years, and €2 per item (maximum of €20 per month) to those over 70 years, these services are provided free of charge.
Persons with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including consultant services, subject to certain charges. The public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €80 in respect of each day during which a person is maintained, up to a maximum payment of €800 in any twelve consecutive months. There is also a charge of €100 for attendance at Accident & Emergency departments unless, inter alia, the person has a referral letter from their General Practitioner.
