Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason medical card renewal applications which historically were granted on exceptional medical needs are being considered for renewal as a standard application on the basis of means and not under the medical criteria for which they were originally awarded where that medical need still exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46911/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits, and is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services to themselves and their dependents without undue hardship. There is a provision for discretion to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded. The HSE recently set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards where there are difficult personal circumstances.