Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1729. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a scheme for the automatic provision of medical cards for the survivors of abuse by a person (details supplied) many of whom continue to suffer mental and physical health effects as a result of the abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42848/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
While there are no plans to introduce a scheme for the automatic provision of medical cards for the Group referred to by the Deputy, the Government continues to support the work of the Dignity4Patients Support Group through funding provided by the HSE, which has been extended for a further three-year period, to end 2024.
Dignity 4 Patients provides a valuable patient support and advocacy service to any person who has been affected by sexual assault and/or inappropriate behaviour while that person is in a therapeutic session, with specific reference to the North Eastern Health region.
Dignity 4 Patients clients may avail of the HSE's National Counselling Service and the HSE has put in place arrangements which will permit clients referred by Dignity 4 Patients to be fast-tracked into counselling as is the case for victims of institutional abuse. Dignity 4 Patients clients of course have the right to access all appropriate health and social care services in the same way as any other citizen.
