Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the new guidelines for the issue of medical cards and doctor only cards; if she will define the concept of net income which will in future be used and the new system for dealing with expenses on mortgage and rent, travel to work costs and child care costs; and the allowance for children which will in future be made. [23823/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. The HSE has placed advertisements providing details of the application process in the national press and intends to place further advertisements in the regional press over the coming week.

The determination of eligibility of applications for medical cards is statutorily vested in the HSE. In determining eligibility, the chief executive officer, or a delegated officer, will have regard to the financial circumstances and medical needs of the applicant and spouse, if any. Recent changes introduced by the HSE will mean that household income, after deductions in respect of PRSI and tax have been made, will be assessed when determining eligibility. Also provision will be made for reasonable expenses in respect of child care, rent or mortgage and commuting to work expenses.

Medical cards may be made available by the HSE where guidelines are exceeded in circumstances, for example, where there is particular need for medical services. A medical card may be issued to all or some members of a family. However, in all cases, the decision is a matter for the HSE. In assessing a person's eligibility, every aspect of an individual's financial means and medical expenses are carefully examined to ensure that no financial hardship is caused by the executive's refusal to grant a medical card in any particular case. Those people whom the HSE deems to be eligible for GP cards will be able to visit their general practitioner without charge and receive general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme.

It should be noted that the income guidelines used by the HSE for the purpose of assessment of medical card applications were increased from 1 January 2005 by 7.5%. The income guidelines to be used to assess applications for GP visit cards will be up to a further 25% higher than those for assessing full medical card eligibility.