James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to address the financial hardship endured by amputees who number approximately 5,000 of which 50% are not covered by the GMS or medical card scheme and who must pay for the original prosthesis and a replacement prosthesis maybe every three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25335/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Medical cards are made available by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In general, eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants (income and relevant outgoings). The main exception is persons aged 70 and over, who have an automatic statutory entitlement to a medical card.

In assessing a medical card/GP visit card application, the HSE uses guidelines based on people's means which includes their income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. The assessment process also takes account of other factors, such as medical or social need, which may impact on people's ability to meet the cost of GP services.

I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole. However, my Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this exercise, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need is being undertaken and is expected to be completed by autumn 2008.

The VHI have informed my Department that the costs of prosthetic/artificial limbs including replacement limbs are eligible for inclusion in an Out-Patient Healthcare claim. This claim is subject to the applicable annual excess depending on family or individual member policy status and the annual maximum benefit payable can vary depending on the plan type chosen.