Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the timescale envisaged for the publication of legislation to provide for the changes to eligibility criteria for medical card applicants who are over-seventy; the way it is proposed to discontinue medical card entitlement in respect of people who currently hold a medical card but who will exceed the guidelines when the legislation is commenced, and in particular those whose medical card was granted up to a specific period and is not due for renewal for a number of years [1814/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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As part of Budget 2013, it was announced that the income thresholds for medical cards for the over 70’s age group are to be changed. The intention is that: persons aged 70 years and over, whose gross weekly income is not more than €600 in the case of single persons and €1,200 in te case of couples, will qualify for full eligibility (medical cards); and persons aged 70 years and over, whose gross weekly income is more than €600 but less than €700 in the case of single persons and more than €1,200 but less than €1,400 in the case of couples, will qualify for GP Visit Cards.

People who lose the medical card will be entitled to make use of the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) which reimburses the cost of medication that exceeds a monthly threshold. Primary legislation is required to implement the new eligibility criteria. Heads of Bill are being currently being prepared and it is anticipated that the legislation will be published during the current session.