Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the position in relation to the legislation passed restricting the automatic right to medical cards for persons over 70; the agreed provision to take place with renewal of medical cards after March 2009; if it was agreed at the passing of the legislation that existing card holders would be subject to a full means test system on renewal of their card or if it was to be a simplified process; if she is satisfied that the Health Service Executive is operating the system in accordance with the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28732/09]

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 and over ended on 31st December 2008. With effect from 1st January, 2009, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over are €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.

In early January 2009, the HSE wrote to persons aged 70 and over who were medical card holders on 31st December 2008, informing them that either they would continue to hold their card or, if they considered that they were over the income thresholds, they should advise the HSE by 2nd March 2009, after which date their medical card was no longer valid.

A medical card holder aged 70 or over, who continues to hold a card will, of course, be subject to review on a regular basis, as is the case with all other medical card holders. However, under the new arrangements, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced in respect of persons aged 70 and over, based on gross income rather than net income, as applies otherwise for means-testing of eligibility for medical cards.