Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the full statutory entitlements of a person in receipt of a medical card; the services which are discretionary under the medical card system; her plans to review the current entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8890/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Full eligibility for health services is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship, with the exception of persons aged seventy years and over, who are statutorily entitled to a medical card. Persons with full eligibility are entitled to general practitioner services, prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, child health services, home nursing and a maternity and infant care service. Determination of an individual's eligibility status is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.

Other services such as allied health professional services may be available to medical card holders but are not based on a statutory entitlement. Medical card holders may also be entitled to free transport to school for children who live 3 miles or more from the nearest school, exemption from state examination fees in public second-level schools and financial help with buying school books. They are also exempt from paying the health levy.

My Department is currently preparing legislation to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework. It is expected that proposals will be submitted to Government in the first half of 2008.