Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish legislation to remove medical cards from over 70 year olds as a matter of right; the position of those who will have a valid card but who are above the income threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42428/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I intend to publish legislation to withdraw automatic entitlement to a medical card from persons aged 70 or over as soon as possible and to have it enacted during this Dáil session. The vast majority of people aged 70 or over will still qualify for a medical card. All those with gross incomes of €700 a week in the case of a single person or €1,400 a week in the case of a couple will qualify for a medical card. People whose gross income is above these limits may, depending on their personal circumstances, still qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card under the standard means-testing arrangements. All matters relating to this will be dealt with in the legislation.