Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person whose sole income is an invalidity pension will not lose their entitlement to the medical card, despite the fact that their full pension is €1.20 above the medical card income guideline for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8539/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the assessment of applications for medical cards.

Applicants, whose weekly incomes are derived solely from social welfare or Health Service Executive payments, which are in excess of the chief officers financial guidelines, either at first application or on renewal, will be granted medical cards. If the Deputy is aware of a particular case he could forward details and I would be happy to investigate the case with the Health Service Executive.