Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the provisions available for health care for nationals of Romania and Bulgaria who are legally working here; if such people can apply for a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8852/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on residency and means. Any person, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility (Category 1, i.e. medical card holders) or limited eligibility (Category 2) for health services.

In general, a person should be regarded as being ordinarily resident in Ireland if he or she satisfies the HSE that it is his/her intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year. A national of an EU country who is employed or self-employed in Ireland, is entitled to either full or limited eligibility regardless of the duration of his/her residence in Ireland. Therefore, nationals of Romania and Bulgaria who are legally working in Ireland are entitled to either full or limited eligibility and may apply for a medical card in the normal way.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Meath on humanitarian grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8854/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services qualify for a medical card, which entitles them to a range of health services free of charge. 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 did not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

The assessment of eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged over 70, who have an automatic statutory entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants (income and relevant outgoings). The GP visit card assessment threshold is 50% higher than the medical card threshold.

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 requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.