Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation with respect to people who hold medical cards who are over 70 years of age and their spouses are under 70 and depending on their income; and if they will automatically be awarded a medical card or if they will be means tested. [3937/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Health Act 2008, automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 or over ceased on 31st December 2008, and with effect from 1st January 2009, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 or over is €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. Where the spouse/partner is under 70 years of age, he/she can qualify under the over 70s medical card scheme if the combined gross incomes of the applicant and dependant spouse/partner are within the income threshold limit of €1,400 (gross) per week.