Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself with the number of medical cards which have been provided to date; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many in great need are having cards delayed due to the level of bureaucracy involved; the reason a seriously ill self-employed person who had to stop work as a result of cancer and applied in January 2006 for a medical card is still receiving queries regarding their non-existent income at a time of serious trauma and incapacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16342/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE), was established on 1 January 2005 under the Health Act 2004. 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 initial applications for medical cards and the review/renewal of existing cards. Information provided by the HSE indicates that as at 1st April 2006, 1,177,442 persons had medical cards. This represents an increase of 32,359 on the corresponding figure for January 2005. The Government commitment to provide a net 30,000 additional medical cards has, therefore, been met, and indeed exceeded.

I am informed that the HSE has established a Schemes Modernisation project which includes aims to standardise application and review processes nationally in respect of the General Medical Services and related schemes. This is to ensure a system which is fair, responsive, person centred and transparent and at the same time provides appropriate controls.

Since 2004, I have made significant improvements to the way in which people's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. In January 2005, I increased the income guidelines used in the assessment of medical card applications by 7.5%. In June 2005, I simplified the means test for both medical cards and GP visit cards. It is now based on an applicant's and spouse's income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, childcare and travel to work. This is much fairer to applicants. In October 2005, the income guidelines for both medical cards and GP visit cards were increased by an additional 20%. This means the income guidelines are now 29% higher than they were at the end of 2004. Persons aged 70 years and over are statutorily entitled to a medical card, regardless of income, since 1 July 2001. If the Deputy is aware of a particular case where difficulties are being experienced he should raise the matter directly with the HSE.