Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide access to health services such as physiotherapy, chiropody, dental care and occupational therapy for older people in nursing home care under the medical card scheme such as is provided to those who do not reside in nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36739/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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, while individuals in the second category are required to pay for certain services. 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. I believe that the availability of services such as of physiotherapy, chiropody, dental care and occupational therapy should not be dependent on where the individual is residing.