Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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588. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider reinstating medical cards for coeliacs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17531/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. Under the legislation, there is no - and there never has been - entitlement to a medical card based on a particular disease or illness.

The HSE is obliged to operate within the legal parameters as set out in the Health Act, while also responding to the variety of circumstances and complexities faced by persons who apply for a medical card on an individual basis. However, if an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds as set out in the national guidelines, the HSE routinely examines for indications of medical or social circumstances which might result in undue financial hardship in arranging medical services and, exercising discretion, may grant eligibility for a medical card on this basis. Where persons submit an application, as a new applicant or a renewal/review, without additional medical documentation and are refused, they will receive a letter giving a calculation of the guideline thresholds and where these have been exceeded. Also, at this stage, they are informed of the option to furnish further medical documentation, to demonstrate medical expenditure related to an illness or disease, in support of their application.

Where discretion is exercised with regard to an applicant with an illness or disease, it is the effect of medical costs and necessary expenses of that condition on a person's financial situation that is relevant to the assessment for a medical card. In accordance with the legislation, it is not possible to award a medical card by virtue of an illness or a disease or the severity thereof.