Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of discretionary medical cards issued in each county for each year from 1997 to 2003 and to date in 2004; and if she will provide this information in tabular form. [24231/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The latest information available on medical card coverage is that for September 2004. There were 768,895 cards covering 1,151,106 persons, or 29.39% of the population, in existence at that time.

Information on the numbers of discretionary medical cards, that is persons whose income exceeds the guidelines, but who have been granted medical cards, is not routinely kept by my Department. The matter will be referred to the health boards and the authority for investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 234: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if in view of the medical expenses incurred and the ongoing need for care of severely developmentally delayed children from birth, these children will be granted a medical card in their own right without a means test for a third party; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24232/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Health board chief executive officers have discretion in regard to the issuing of medical cards and a range of income sources can be excluded by the health boards when assessing medical card eligibility. Despite someone having an income that exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that a person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.

For those who do not qualify for a medical card, there is a number of schemes that provide assistance towards the cost of medication. Under the long-term illness scheme, persons suffering from a number of conditions can obtain the drugs and medicines required for the treatment of that condition free of charges. The conditions in question include mental illness, for persons under 16 years only, intellectual disability, phenylketonuria, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy etc. Under the drug payments scheme, a person and his-her dependants will not have to pay more than €78 in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs and medicines.

The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage as set out in the health strategy. This will focus on people on low incomes and will give priority to families with children, particularly those with a disability. The timing of the introduction of the extension will be decided having regard to the prevailing budgetary position.

The health strategy includes a whole series of initiatives to clarify and expand the existing arrangements for eligibility for health services, including recommendations arising from the review of the medical card scheme carried out by the health board CEOs under the PPF which include streamlining applications and improving the standardisation of the medical card applications process to ensure better fairness and transparency; providing clearer information to about how and where to apply for medical cards; and proactively seeking out those who should have medical cards to ensure they have access to the services that are available.

In addition, my Department is committed to the preparation of new legislation to update and codify the whole legal framework for eligibility and entitlements in regard to health services.