Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the decision to make the income level for a couple applying for the over 70s' medical card €900 and not €1000; and if he will review this matter in the future. [1886/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The gross income limit for an over 70s medical card was set in law at €500 per week for a single person and at €900 per week for a couple from 1 January 2014. The gross income limits up to that date were €600 per week for a single person and at €1,200 per week for a couple.

The over 70s gross income limit for a single person was reduced proportionately less than the gross income limit for a couple under the Budgetary change as the Government recognises that the living costs of an individual living alone are more than half the living costs of a couple living together and that expenditure does not necessarily diminish relative to the number of people in the household. This is recognised, inter alia, through the provision of the Living Alone Increase and differential income limits for medical cards for persons aged under 70 years between individuals and couples. There are no proposals to change these gross income limits.

The Deputy will be aware that 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 the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over 70s 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.

The Government has, in addition, approved the drafting of a Bill to provide a GP service without fees for all persons aged 70 years and over. Drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and the expectation is that the Bill will be published shortly.