Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

With regard to the Minister's response to Deputy Reilly's question on income guidelines for somebody who applies in the old-fashioned way rather than based on the limits of €700 and €1,400, this would not be done under the Bill but through the administration of the HSE systems. Prior to this, we operated under the HSE income guidelines of June 2006 because no increase has been made since then. This included a system of progression as one got older and I want to bring this to the Minister's attention.

I have the figures to hand. Guidelines were provided for single people up to the age of 69 because a person over 70 received the card automatically. Guidelines were also provided for married couples where one person was over 70. These income limits increased as a person aged. Prior to the budget, the guidelines for people aged between 70 and 79 was €596.50 and for those aged over 80 it was €627. I do not suggest that the Minister provides an answer on this today but where somebody uses the old-fashioned system because they have major expenses and they want to use a net rather than a gross figure will the Minister operate this principle of increasing the limits as the person gets older? I hope the Minister understands the point I am making. It was always a principle in the system and I would not like to see it go.

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