Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a person (details supplied). [16828/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Medical cards are made available by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In general, eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants (income and relevant outgoings). In assessing a medical card/GP visit card application, the HSE uses guidelines based on people's means which includes their income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, child care and travel to work. The assessment process also takes account of other factors, such as medical or social need, which may impact on people's ability to meet the cost of GP services.

Under the 2009 Medical Card and GP Visit Card Income Guidelines, the weekly rates for a single parent with a dependant child is €304.50 for a medical card and €457 for a GP visit card. These figures are after tax and PRSI have been deducted and before any allowances have been given for rent/mortgage payments, child care costs or travel to work expenses. I have no role in the process of determination of eligibility to medical cards or GP visit cards for individual applicants. If an applicant is not content with the outcome of a medical card application to the HSE, the matter can be appealed to the Executive and can also be raised with the Office of the Ombudsman for adjudication.