John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to determine the income level of current holders of the over 70 years medical card after 1 January 2009; her plans to instigate sanctions against those who refuse to give up their card and are above the income threshold but have not informed the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37249/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government recently announced, as part of its budget proposals, the withdrawal of automatic entitlement to the medical card from people aged 70 years and over and the introduction of new income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over of €700 (gross) per week for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week for a couple. Legislation, which will give effect to these changes, will be enacted before the end of 2008 and will come into effect on 1st January 2009.

The arrangements set out in the legislation will provide that persons aged 70 and over who automatically acquired their medical card on age grounds before 31st December 2008 will self-assess for medical card eligibility. I consider it important that the eligibility criteria are as user friendly as possible so for that reason gross rather than net income will be used for self-assessment purposes. The legislation will include appropriate provisions in respect of persons who do not advise the HSE that their income is above the specified thresholds.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the full income guidelines that will apply to applicants for a medical card in 2009. [37257/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The full income guidelines that will apply to applicants for a medical card as of the 1st January 2009 in respect of persons under 70 years of age and persons aged 70 and over are set out in tabular form below. It should be noted that 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 assessment criteria for medical cards in the context of financial, medical and social need is being undertaken and is expected to be completed within the next few months.

Persons whose income is above €700 per week (gross) for a single person and €1,400 per week (gross) for a married couple and whose circumstances are such that it would cause them undue hardship to provide medical and surgical services for themselves, may be considered for a medical card on a discretionary basis.

Income from Savings/Investments/Property

Any savings up to €36,000 (single) / €72,000 (couple) will be disregarded and only interest from savings above these figures will be considered as income for means testing purposes.

Income will not be imputed from property (whether a family home, a holiday home or any other property) for means testing purposes, unless it is rented and only the net rental income will be included as income. The income to be assessed will be the gross income, less any cost necessarily incurred associated with the property and such cost may include insurance premia, loan/mortgage repayments, maintenance, etc.

Only dividend payments will be considered as income for means testing purposes in the context of shares and investments.

OTHER ITEMS CONSIDERED

In assessing if a person qualifies for a Medical Card or a GP Visit Card, the HSE must have regard to the person's overall financial situation and not just their income.

The assessment of eligibility for medical cards will be based on the combined income of the applicant and spouse (if any) after tax and PRSI have been deducted

Applicants whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare or Health Service Executive allowances/payments, which are in excess of the Financial Guidelines (either at first application or renewal) will be granted a medical card.

Additional guideline allowances will be given for:

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent/mortgage payments;

Reasonable expenses incurred in respect of childcare costs;

Reasonable expenses incurred in travel to work.

Expenditure in relation to medical costs will be considered.

In respect of savings and investments, the first 36,000 for a single person and 72,000 in respect of a couple is disregarded when determining income.

If an applicant's income is over the guidelines they may still qualify if their personal circumstances cause undue financial hardship.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37271/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for the medical card benefit, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37272/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for the medical card benefit, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.