Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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630. To ask the Minister for Health if nursing home fees are taken into consideration when assessing medical card applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Assessment for eligibility for an over -70s medical /GP visit card is based on gross income only. The general Medical Card/GP Visit scheme assesses medical card/GP visit card eligibility based on an applicant(s) net assessable household income less assessable outgoing expenses. The general scheme is not age dependant and is open to persons of all ages ordinarily resident in the state. The medical card/GP visit card qualifying income limits under the general scheme are lower than those under the over-70s scheme. Under the general scheme of assessment, the full weekly cost of Nursing Home care, less any amount the HSE pays toward this cost, is an allowable outgoing expense. If persons aged 70 or older are assessed as ineligible under the over-70s income thresholds, they may be assessed under the general scheme of assessment to include any allowable outgoing expenses, such as nursing home fees.