Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 19: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the criteria in relation to the receipt of a medical card to Irish citizens who live in the UK and who wish to return here to take up residency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17569/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Any person who is ordinarily resident in Ireland may apply for a medical card. The assessment of eligibility to medical cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and is determined following an examination of the income and medical need of the applicant and his/her dependants. Under Section 45 of the Health Act 1970 medical cards are provided for persons who, in the opinion of the HSE, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. Section 58 of the Health Act, 1970, as amended, provides for GP visit cards for adult persons with limited eligibility for whom, in the opinion of the HSE, and notwithstanding that they do not qualify for a medical card, it would be unduly burdensome to arrange GP medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.

In assessing eligibility income guidelines are used by the HSE. These guidelines are not statutorily binding and medical cards may be granted by the HSE to persons in circumstances where the income guidelines may be exceeded but the particular circumstances of the case warrant such a decision. Decisions to refuse an application or renewal of a medical card may, or course, be appealed to the Executive for further consideration.