Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the income thresholds and eligibility terms for medical card and general practitioner services cards which apply; the index used for updating the elements of the scheme from year to year; the date from which revisions come into effect; if a wider review of the terms of eligibility has been conducted; and the recommendations for changes which have been made. [33196/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The assessment guidelines used by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in respect of applications for medical cards and GP visit cards are subject to review by the Executive and my Department from time to time, having regard to the need to ensure that persons intended to benefit under these arrangements can do so. Such reviews have regard to factors such as changes in income levels generally, the nature of typical household outgoings and also changes which may be made to the various social welfare schemes.

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. Furthermore, under the assessment guidelines, persons whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Department of Social and Family Affairs payments or HSE payments, even if these exceed the stated threshold, qualify for a medical card.

In conjunction with the development of a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provision on eligibility for health and personal social services, my Department is currently reviewing the assessment criteria for medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need in line with the commitment in Towards 2016. A Steering Group has been established to undertake this review and is expected to complete its work and report to me within the next few months. I will then consider how best to progress the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to medical card eligibility.

I attach a table for the Deputy which gives details of the current Medical Card and GP Visit Card income guidelines.