Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the system whereby persons under the age of 24 years who are living away from home, and are only able to avail of a jobseeker's allowance of €100, cannot qualify for a medical card in view of the fact that their income is below the Health Service Executive guidelines for medical card applications which is set at €188; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4453/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The circumstances outlined in the Deputy's question were brought to my attention last year. I discussed the issue with the Health Service Executive, and the HSE subsequently changed its policy in respect of such applications. A person in the circumstances outlined in the Deputy's question may now quality for a medical card. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, she might bring it to my attention. The HSE is writing to previous applicants to inform them of the policy change.