Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients over 70 years of age in County Clare in receipt of a medical card as of 31 October 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43493/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not routinely provided by the Health Service Executive to my Department. Accordingly, 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.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a couple who are both over 70 years with a gross pension income of €54,000 annually between them, and €80,000 in a roll-over savings account, and €75,000 in an interest accruing account will retain their medical cards. [43516/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 (€36,500 per year) for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week (€73,000 per year) for a couple. As part of the means test, any savings up to €36,000 (single) / €72,000 (couple) will be disregarded and only interest from savings above these figures will be considered as income for means testing purposes.

People whose gross income is above the stated thresholds may, depending on their personal circumstances, still qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card under the standard means-testing arrangements.