Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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793. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate medical cards to persons over 70 whose cards have been revoked because the living alone allowance payment of €7.70 week has pushed them marginally over the means assessment for eligibility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33058/14]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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877. To ask the Minister for Health if the determination of the relevant income to be assessed for medical card applications submitted by persons over 70 years of age may be amended so that their net income after deductions made for universal social charge and PRSI is assessed under the application rather than assessing gross income before deductions for USC and PRSI have been made; his views on whether the current determination of relevant income under applications from persons over 70 years is discriminatory vis-à-vis the determination of relevant income used in applications from persons under 70 years [33331/14]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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959. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reinstate medical cards to persons over 70 whose cards have been revoked because payment of a living alone allowance pushed them marginally over the means assessment for eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 793, 877 and 959 together.

Under the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced in respect of persons aged 70 or over, based on the significantly higher gross income thresholds rather than the standard net income limits. Gross income, in respect of the over 70's medical card scheme refers to total basic income prior to any or all deductions being made. The system of assessment for those 70 years of age and over is based on significantly higher gross income limits of €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014, as set out in legislation, compared to the standard net income thresholds of €184 for a single person or €266.50 for a couple. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this age cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole. There are no proposals to change this assessment process.

However, persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the standard means test where they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70's gross income thresholds.

Persons aged 70 or over, who have lost eligibility for a medical card due to the 2014 budgetary change will continue to have access to free GP services. In addition, as you will be aware, the Government committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service for the entire population and the aim is to have the over 70's phase implemented this year or early next year. Furthermore, any person over 70 that does not qualify for a medical card is able to use the DPS (Drugs Payment Scheme) which caps spending on prescription drugs.

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 919is available to the public. The HSE will give every assistance to persons that contact their offices, in advising and facilitating them in meeting the requirements to have their eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card fully assessed.

Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.