Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the means test for a medical card which applies to persons aged 70 years and over will be administered in the case of a person in a nursing home, whose gross income may exceed the €700 per week threshold, but for whom the costs of the nursing home completely absorb this income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43255/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Where a person aged 70 or over does not qualify for a medical card after 1 January, by virtue of their gross income being over the thresholds of €700 per week for a single person or €1,400 per week for a couple, the Health Service Executive (HSE) may grant a medical card or GP visit card under the existing net income thresholds, which allow for medical, nursing and other expenses to be taken into account. Notwithstanding the above, the HSE may issue a medical card on a discretionary basis, if the applicant would otherwise be caused undue hardship in providing general medical and surgical services for himself/herself and any dependants.