Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the eligibility criteria for medical cards for those persons who have worked both in this State and another EU Member State, and who are in receipt of a non-social welfare pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/13]

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. Any person who is ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility (medical card holder) or limited eligibility (all others) for health services.

Determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE. Medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable to provide practitioner, medical and surgical services to themselves and their dependents without undue hardship.

Under the provisions of EU Regulations, a person may also be granted a Medical Card under the Regulations if; the applicant is living in Ireland and receiving a social security payment from another European ion /European Economic Area (EU/EEA) country or Switzerland and is not getting an Irish social welfare payment (apart from Child Benefit or Early Childcare Supplement) - such applicant must not be liable to contribute to the Irish Social Welfare System, (i.e. PRSI); the applicant is living in Ireland and working in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland and is liable to pay Social Insurance Contributions in that country; the applicant is living in Ireland and is the dependent spouse or child of someone employed in another EU/EEA country and Switzerland. The applicant must not be getting an Irish Social Welfare Payment apart from Child Benefit or Early Childcare Supplement and must not be liable to contribute to the Irish social welfare system.