Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve a blue card status for a small number of applicants (details supplied), which would cover their requirements for frequent medical intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41998/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The entitlement of an individual to services under the Health (Amendment) Act, l996 is bound by the definition of eligibility inserted in that Act by section 6 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006. This requires a positive diagnostic test for applications received after the specified date. Under the terms of the legislation, a person is only entitled to a Health Amendment Act Card (HAA Card) if they have been diagnosed positive for Hepatitis C, either currently or at any time in the past, using internationally recognised scientific tests, such as the Elisa test, the Riba test or the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. In addition, proof that the person displayed symptoms of acute infection with jaundice up to 16 weeks after administration of Anti-D is also accepted as a basis for eligibility.

I have given a great deal of consideration to the question of extending eligibility for services under the Health (Amendment) Act, l996 to a small number of women who have symptoms similar to those associated with Hepatitis C, but who have never tested antibody-positive for the virus. However, I must take into account the rationale which led to the clarification of eligibility requirements in 2006. In these circumstances I regret that I cannot support any dilution of the current eligibility requirements.

I should point out to the Deputy that this group of women are entitled to apply for a regular medical card. Application forms for medical cards are available from the Health Service Executive's (HSE) local health offices. The HSE has discretion to award a medical card to a person whose income exceeds the financial guidelines, where the HSE decides that the financial burden of medical or other exceptional circumstances would cause undue hardship.