Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason parents of higher education student applicants for medical cards and general practitioner cards are being assessed under their parents income when all child allowances for the student have ceased and the parents cannot claim tax credits fro their accommodation or costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32996/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The assessment of eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and eligibility is determined following the examination of the means of the applicant and of his/her dependants. Under Section 45 of the Health Act 1970 medical cards are provided to 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. Persons aged 70 and over are statutorily entitled to a medical card regardless of income. In all other cases an assessment of income is undertaken.

Section 58 of the Health Act, 1970, as amended, provided 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.

Persons aged 16-25 (including students) who are financially dependent on their parents are entitled to a medical card / GP visit card if their parents are medical card / GP visit card holders. Those who are financially independent of their parents are assessed in their own right.

Work has commenced on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility and entitlement for health and personal social services. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency and to bring the system up to date with developments in service delivery and technology that have occurred since the enactment of the Health Act 1970.

The issue of tax credits is a matter for the Minister for Finance.