Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will change the medical card eligibility rules to allow the public service pension levy to be deducted in assessing eligible income. [34858/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The assessment of eligibility to a medical card is a statutory function of the Health Service Executive (HSE). In assessing eligibility, the HSE must have regard to the overall financial situation of the applicant and his/her spouse and dependants. The HSE has guidelines to assist its staff in assessing the financial situation of applicants. Under the current guidelines, the Pension Levy payable by public servants is not deductible from gross income for assessment purposes. It should be noted that contributions to private pension schemes are similarly not deductible. My Department is considering this matter in consultation with the HSE.