Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to ensure that non-contributory old age pensioners who avail of the disregard incentive on their pension to take up employment worth €200 per week do not as a result lose their entitlement to a medical card. [43309/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under Section 45 of the Health Act 1970, as amended, persons aged 70 or over are statutorily entitled to a medical card regardless of income. In all other cases, in assessing eligibility, the Health Service Executive use guidelines based on people's means, which includes their income, certain allowable outgoings and the effect of factors such as medical need. These guidelines are not statutorily binding and a decision to refuse an application or renewal of a medical card may be appealed to the Executive for further consideration.