Written answers
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Department of Health and Children
Medical Cards
11:00 pm
Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the income limit for the parents of a child with an intellectual disability under 18 years of age; and the way this compares to the limit for children under 18 but over the age of six without intellectual disability. [27227/08]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The table below shows details of the income thresholds used by the Health Service Executive to assist it in determining if a person qualifies for a medical card.
| Medical Card Weekly Rate | |
| € | |
| Single Person Living Alone | |
| Aged up to 65 years | 184.00 |
| Aged between 66-69 years | 201.50 |
| Single Person Living with Family | |
| Aged up to 65 years | 164.00 |
| Aged between 66-69 years | 173.50 |
| Married Couple/Single Parent with dependant Children | |
| Aged up to 65 years | 266.50 |
| Aged between 66-69 years | 298.00 |
| Aged between 70-79 years (see footnote) | 596.50 |
| Aged 80 years and over (see footnote) | 627.00 |
| Allowances | |
| Allowance for first 2 children under 16 financially dependent on applicant | 38.00 |
| For 3rd and subsequent children under 16 years financially dependent on applicant | 41.00 |
| Allowance for first 2 children over 16 years financially dependant on applicant | 39.00 |
| For 3rd and subsequent children over 16 years financially dependent on applicant | 42.50 |
| Dependant over 16 years in full-time education and not grant-aided | 78.00 |
| Footnote | |
| The guidelines for those aged 70-79 years, and aged 80 years and over, are used when one member of a married couple is aged over 70, and their spouse aged under 70 is applying. |
In recent years there have been significant improvements to the way in which people's eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is assessed. Since the beginning of 2005, the qualification guidelines have increased by a cumulative 29% (7.5% and 20% in January and October 2005 respectively). Assessment is now based on a person's and, where relevant, his/her spouse's income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, childcare and travel to work. In June 2006, there was a further increase in the qualification threshold for the GP visit card to 50% above that for a medical card (previously 25%).
Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a publicity campaign has taken place in 2008 to increase uptake of the medical card scheme; if the medical card has been increased to reflect the average industrial wage; and the action taken to make this process easier to apply for by her Department. [27228/08]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Details of the number of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The most recent figures show that 1,306,470 persons held medical cards as at 1st June, 2008. This represents an increase of 161,387 since January 2005 when 1,145,083 persons held a medical card. In addition, 80,035 persons held a GP visit card as at 1st June, 2008.
The Programme for Government commits to the following:
Indexing the income thresholds for medical cards to increases in the average industrial wage;
Doubling of the income limit eligibility of parents of children under 6 years of age, and trebling them for parents of children under 18 years of age with an intellectual disability.
To implement an annual publicity campaign and make applications easier so as to increase uptake amongst those who are eligible for cards.
In conjunction with the development of a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility for health and personal social services, my Department is reviewing the assessment criteria in the context of financial, medical and social need in line with the commitment in Towards 2016. A Steering Group has been established which is expected to complete this work in autumn 2008. It is my intention to then consider how best to progress the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to medical card eligibility.
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