Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the income threshold for those applying for medical cards. [13875/13]

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 the case of couples, will qualify for full eligibility (medical cards)

- 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 do not qualify for a medical card are entitled to make use of the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) which reimburses the cost of medication that exceeds a monthly threshold. The new rules will not take effect until later in 2013, after primary legislation has been enacted. The implementation date will be announced and publicised in advance by the Department and the HSE.

It was also announced that, in relation to eligibility for the standard medical card, the rules relating to a person’s spending that are taken into account when carrying out the means test will be tightened. The Department will first examine this proposal in more detail in consultation with the HSE. Again, the new rules and the implementation date will be announced and publicised in advance by the Department and the HSE.