Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for raising this Adjournment matter, which I take on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

In the budget, the Government decided to end the automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over, with effect from 1 January 2009. This was done to ensure that public health funding is used to help those most in need. Some people have a medical card as a result of a means test, while others received a medical card automatically, without a means test, when they turned 70.

I wish to clarify the following points. Any person with a medical card as a result of a means test is not affected by this decision, irrespective of age, what means test the person did or when they did it. Their medical card benefits are not affected. They will not now be asked to do a new means test, nor will they be written to by the HSE as a result of the budget decision.

For any person aged 70 or over who got a medical card without a means test, the budget decision is important because their present medical card will expire on 31 December this year. The HSE will write to them between 31 October and 14 November asking them to complete a simple means test to decide the benefits they may receive. They will be asked to return this form to the HSE within two weeks. On that basis, the HSE will be able to complete all assessments by 31 December this year.

Depending on the means test, a person may qualify for a medical card, or a GP visit card, or the new health support payment of €400 for a single person, or €800 for a couple. I will now deal with the issue of the means test. The weekly income limit for a medical card will be €240.30 for a single person or €480.60 for a couple. This is the same as the highest amount of a State contributory pension following the increase in the budget. If a person's sole weekly income is €240.30 for a single person or €480.60 for a couple, or less, they will qualify for a medical card. Other social welfare payments like the fuel allowance or the living alone allowance are not counted in the means test.

If a person has a weekly income of more than €240.30 for a single person or €480.60 for a couple, they will be asked for some additional information. The means test income amount is income after expenses. Full account is taken of real expenses a person has, or can expect to have, next year. These are, for example, rent or mortgage, GP costs, medicines costs, medical appliances, nursing home fees, maintenance payments made, and any income tax or PRSI paid.

Any savings up to €36,000 for a single person or €72,000 for a couple will not be counted in the means test. The family home will not be counted in the means test.

The GP visit card entitles a person to free visits to their GP without limit. The weekly income limit will be €360.45 for a single person or €720.90 for a couple. This is 50% higher than the income limit for the medical card. If a person's sole weekly income is €360.45 for a single person or €720.90 for a couple, or less, they will qualify for a GP visit card.

Other social welfare payments like the fuel allowance or the living alone allowance are not counted in the means test. This income limit is also income after expenses. The same allowances and exemptions will apply as for the medical card means test.

A person who does not qualify for a GP visit card can still qualify for the new health support payment if their gross weekly income is less than €650 for a single person or €1,300 for a couple. The HSE will use the same means test form to assess this. There will be no need to fill in another form. The health support payment is €400 for a single person or €800 for a couple. It will be paid annually, will not require medical receipts and will not be taxable.

Medical cards and GP visit cards may still be granted by the HSE to those not qualifying on a means test on particular hardship grounds. The health levy will not be payable by people aged 70 and over. I am glad of this opportunity to be able to clarify the Government's decision on this important matter.

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