Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1174. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the income limits for medical card assessments for persons 70 years of age and over by increasing the income thresholds to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was enacted on 2nd August 2020. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to the Health Act 1970 (as amended) to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 per week for a couple (currently €900 per week).
The precise cost of increasing the medical card gross income limits for those aged 70 and over is difficult to estimate as it will be dependent on a number of factors, including the number of additional applications made to the HSE, the timescale within which these are made and the number of applicants who are deemed eligible. The Government is finalising decisions regarding the provision of funding for this measure and the implementation date for the commencement of this provision.
