Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [3482/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An individual living in Ireland for at least one year is considered by the Health Service Executive, HSE, to be ordinarily resident and is entitled to either full eligibility, category 1, that is, medical card holders or limited eligibility, category 2, for health services. Dependants of an ordinarily resident person who have not been in Ireland for a period of one year themselves must declare themselves to be the dependants of that person to the HSE and seek to satisfy the HSE that they intend to remain in Ireland for a period of at least one year.

Individuals who have not been resident in Ireland for at least one year must satisfy the HSE that it is their intention to remain for a minimum of one year to establish their entitlements to health services. Dependants of such individuals must also contact the HSE in that regard.

Persons in category 1 are medical card holders, and they are entitled to a full range of services, including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants' services, all out-patient public hospital services, including consultants' services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service. 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 or surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. Persons over the age of 70 years are automatically entitled to a medical card.

Persons not entitled to a medical card but with an income below a certain threshold, 25% above the medical card income guidelines, may be entitled to a GP visit card. A GP visit card entitles the holder to free GP services. For those who do not qualify for a medical card, a number of schemes exist which provide assistance towards the cost of medication. Under the drug payment scheme, a person and his or her dependants need not pay more than €85 in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines or appliances.

Persons in category 2, non-medical card holders, are entitled, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, and out-patient public hospital services, including consultant services. The current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €60 per night, up to a maximum of €600 in any 12 consecutive months. Attendance at accident and emergency departments is subject to a charge of €60 where the patient does not have a referral note from his or her doctor. A maternity and infant care service is provided during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth.

Further information on eligibility for health services can be obtained from the HSE national information line on 1850 24 1850, which operates from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.