Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is automatic entitlement to a medical card for a person suffering from epilepsy and brittle bone disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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No group in society, other than persons aged 70 years and over, has automatic entitlement to a medical card. Determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.

The person in question should contact his-her local Health Service Executive and submit a completed medical card application form in order for his/her eligibility to be assessed. Persons suffering from epilepsy, who are not already medical card holders, may obtain without charge drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme.