Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 231: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if income from an account (details supplied) will be included in any means-tested payments from her Department; and the applications which will have this account included in any means-tested assessment. [26242/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The main means tested entitlement under the aegis of my Department is the medical card, which is operated by the Health Service Executive. Under the Health Act 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, other than for persons aged 70 years and over who are automatically fully eligible for a medical card. 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.

With regard to investment income generally, the Health Service Executive takes the annual income from savings and investments into consideration in the assessment of means for a medical card. On the treatment of SSIA proceeds, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs has recently announced increases in capital disregards to ensure that SSIA savings will not affect social welfare payments. I understand that the Health Service Executive is considering adopting a similar approach in medical card assessments. I will consult the HSE on this matter shortly.