James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the over-70s medical card scheme for each of the years since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37889/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue 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.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in receipt of an over-70s medical card per county for each of the years 2005 to 2007 and to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37890/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational and funding responsibility for the medical card benefit. It collates medical card data by county, age and gender. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of over-70 year olds she estimates will be considered ineligible for the medical card from 1 January 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37891/08]

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. This will come into effect on 1st January 2009. Based on Central Statistics data and Health Service Executive data, I estimate that in the region of 20,000 people aged 70 and over, who currently hold a medical card, will not qualify for a card after 1st January 2009.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will index-link medical card income guidelines to increases in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37892/08]

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. This will come into effect on January 2009.

The income thresholds for the over 70s medical cards will be reviewed annually to take account of the cost of living increases over the lifetime of this Government.

The Department of Health and Children 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. Any decision in relation to the income thresholds for under 70 medical card applicants will be considered upon completion of this review.