Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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229. To ask the Minister for Health if he will amend the regulations regarding the income certificates required by the Health Service Executive before renewing or issuing medical cards in order that persons who are in receipt of a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection do not need to submit a notice of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they have no income tax liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12382/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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A person making an application for a medical card/GP visit card is subject to an assessment of eligibility in accordance with the Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines. The guidelines include a description of the documentary evidence that an applicant must provide in relation to each income type that the applicant, and his/her dependants, receives. The National Assessment Guidelines state that, for the purposes of an assessment of eligibility for a medical card/GP visit card, a person in receipt of an income from self employment must provide either:

- a Revenue Notice of Assessment as proof of income from this source, or if Revenue has determined that an income return for tax purposes is not necessary,

- a Non Liable Notification Letter issued by Revenue in addition to a statement of the amount of income being received from this source.

A “Non Liable Notification Letter” will typically issue by Revenue in cases where a very low income is being returned from the self-employment activity concerned. Such determination can only be made by Revenue when an income return is made to Revenue and they conduct an assessment of tax liability based on the return. For assistance with completing this form,thelocal offices of the Revenue Commissioners can be contacted or the website accessed.

The HSE local health offices can offer assistance to those completing their Medical Card/GP Visit Card application form or seek clarification on any aspect regarding the process of assessing eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card. In addition, in this regard, a help and information Callsave phone line 1890 252 919 is available to the public. It is advised that applicants should avail of this information helpline, where they have concerns regarding assessments and review. The HSE will give every assistance to persons that contact our offices, in advising and facilitating them in meeting the requirements to have their eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card fully assessed. If a person, the subject of a review assessment is engaging with our offices and has undertaken to provide the information being requested within period of time that is reasonable and agreed with the HSE, the HSE will extend that person’s medical card eligibility for the period agreed to allow the applicant time to provide the information required and allow an assessment be conducted based on this information.