Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
266. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards provided to all children with a severe disability in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; if all children with a severe disability are now in receipt of a medical card irrespective of their parents' income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a non-means tested monthly payment made by the Minister for Social Protection under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) in respect of a child under 16 years who requires ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. The Health (Amendment) Act 2017 allowed for the provision of automatic eligibility for a medical card for children in receipt of DCA.
The DCA medical cards have been certified for use since June 1 2017. Providing automatic eligibility for a medical card for children in receipt of DCA will alleviate the stress and anxiety of parents in terms of medical costs associated with their child’s disability. Parents will now not be required to undergo the process of providing family financial information, expert or medical reports and additional supporting information when applying for a medical card. Children who are not in receipt of DCA continue to be assessed for a medical card using the standard medical card assessment procedures.
As the operation of the medical card scheme comes under the remit of the HSE, I have asked it to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
