Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) [25014/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Under the Health Act 2008, the income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for those aged 70 and over are €700 (gross) per week (€36,000 per year) for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week (€73,000 per year) for a couple.

Persons aged 70 or over, whose gross income is above the stated thresholds, may, depending on their personal circumstances, still qualify for a medical card or a GP visit card under the standard means-testing arrangements which exist at present. (This is to allow for the possibility that a person's net income may yet qualify them for a medical card or GP visit card even though their gross income is above the over 70 limits - current standard net thresholds are €201.50 for a single person and €298 for a couple for a medical card and €302 for a single person and €447 for a couple for a GP visit card).

Persons who do not qualify for a medical card under the gross income thresholds (Health Act 2008) or under the standard net means-testing arrangements, and whose circumstances are such that it would cause them undue hardship to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependents, may be considered for a discretionary card.