Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused a medical card. [29451/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Medical cards are made available to people and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of GP services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP. Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, child care and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the income guidelines for GP visit cards. They are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.