Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the administrative and other arrangements that have been put in place to implement the changes to the over 70 year olds medical card entitlement announced in budget 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42463/08]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce the changes she proposes to medical card eligibility for those over 70 years; if she will contact all those who hold a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42124/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 210 together.

The Government's proposal, to be effected in legislation, is that automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over will end on 31st December 2008, and with effect from 1st January 2009, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over will be €700 (gross) per week for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week for a couple. 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. My Department is in consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) with regard to the provision of appropriate information to persons aged 70 and over. It is intended that the HSE will write to all concerned shortly after the publication of the Bill.