Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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813. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review medical care criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42217/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I can advise the Deputy that applications for medical cards for persons aged 70 years and older can be assessed both on the basis of the standard national assessment guidelines and on the basis of the guidelines for persons aged 70 years or over. The HSE endeavours to ensure that all persons aged 70 and over, who are entitled to a medical card or a GP visit card, are facilitated to avail of their entitlement.

Under the arrangements effected by the Health Act 2008, a much simplified system of assessment for eligibility was introduced for persons aged 70 or over, based on the significantly higher gross income limits rather than the standard net income thresholds. The gross income limits of €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014 are set at more than twice the amount of the State Pension. This arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole.

In the main, persons in the over-70s age cohort do not have the same outlays and expenses as those under 70 years of age who are assessed on a means basis. Under the standard means tested medical card scheme, allowance may be made for rent/mortgage, travel to work and child care costs. Generally, for the over 70s, mortgages have been cleared, children have been catered for and they would not have travel to work related costs.

Persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme in the event that they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. This assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and, as outlined, the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70's gross income thresholds.

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

There are no current plans to alter the income limits for the over 70's medical card scheme.

The Government is committed to the introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population in line with the Programme for Government. As part of the roll out of universal primary care the legislative basis is being advanced in phases. The Government has decided that those persons aged 70 and over will be the second phase in the roll-out of universal GP care. The drafting of the Bill, to implement this phase, is at an advanced stage of preparation and the aim is to have the second phase of the roll-out of universal GP care for all over-70s implemented this year or early next year, subject to the conclusion of discussions between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO.