Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to ensure that access to health services such as physiotherapy, chiropody, dental care and so on for older people in nursing home care is provided similar to those who have medical cards in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34444/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act, 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others). Entitlement to a medical card is determined mainly by reference to means, with provision for discretion to grant a card in cases of 'undue hardship' where the income guidelines are exceeded.

Medical card holders are entitled to a full range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultants services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service. Determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Individuals with medical cards residing in nursing homes have the same eligibility to services as those in the community.