Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

686. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the number of persons over 70 years who will lose their full medical cards as a result of the measures announced in Budget 2014; the number that will have their medical card replaced with a GP only card; and a breakdown of same by county. [49365/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is estimated that, under the new medical card gross income limits for persons aged 70 or older announced under Budget 2014, in the region of 35,000 people will have their medical card replaced with a GP visit card. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the numbers by county as the data is not collated in a manner to facilitate this.

Persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme where they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over -70s gross income thresholds. Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card on a discretionary basis where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.