Written answers

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Department of Health and Children

Medical Cards

10:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the current economic climate she will consider raising the income thresholds in respect of eligibility for medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7271/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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My Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this exercise, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of financial and medical need is being undertaken. Upon completion of this review, I will consider if changes are required to the medical card / GP visit card income thresholds.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued to persons over 70 years; the number withdrawn to date in 2010; the extent to which further withdrawals or cancellations are likely to take place arising from budgetary or other decisions taken or likely to be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7272/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Details of the number of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The most recent figures provided by the HSE to my Department reflect the position on 31st December 2009 and show 337,669 medical card holders aged 70 years or over.

Under the Health Act 2008, 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. There were no changes to these provisions in Budget 2010. As the other information sought by the Deputy is not provided by the HSE to my Department as a matter of routine, 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.

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