Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 592: To ask the Minister for Health the way money on deposit is treated by him when assessing income for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27007/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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When determining eligibility for a medical card, income from savings or similar investments is assessed by the HSE as follows:

Savings or similar investments of €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 for a couple are disregarded.

The next €10,000 is assessed at one (1) Euro per week per €1,000.

The next €10,000 is assessed at two (2) Euro per week per €1,000.

Savings in excess of the above are assessed at four (4) Euro per week per €1,000.

Alternatively where the applicant wishes he/she can have the actual interest earned from savings/investments applied if he/she provides a certificate of interest paid on savings/investments in the last full calendar year.

A separate procedure applies in the case of an application by a person aged 70 years or over for a medical card.

In respect of fixed term or long term savings products that apply the interest after a fixed number of years, the HSE takes account of the interest earned in the year of maturity of the investment. Alternatively the HSE, if the client so wishes, applies the notional rate of interest earned to determine the income.