Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the cost of operating a car for persons with mobility limiting disabilities is not included as part of the medical card means assessment in the same manner as travel to work costs; if such costs can be considered medical expenses in cases where a person is completely dependent on their vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2070/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), a person has full eligibility for health services, specifically a medical card, where he/she is unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for him/herself and dependents. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the person's overall financial situation, including the means and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants.

The assessment of eligibility is based on the combined income of the applicant and spouse or partner (if any) after tax, PRSI and USC have been deducted. The income guidelines include basic weekly allowances having regard to the applicant’s age, status and number of dependants.

Additional allowances, as detailed in the HSE Medical Card/G.P. Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines, are available for necessary expenses incurred in respect of travel to work costs. Where public transport is not available or suitable and a car is required, reasonable travel costs will be allowed as set out hereunder:

- 18c per km/30c per mile to cover running costs

- car pooling arrangements and any contribution towards costs should be taken into account

- in the case of a couple where they require two cars to travel to work and meet the above requirements, both sets of trips will be taken into account

- the rate per km/mile does not contain any element towards parking costs and where, they are an issue, they should be included on an actual cost basis.

Any application with details of travel to work costs will be assessed against the guidelines outlined above.