Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/15]

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. Prior to that date, the limits were €600 per week for a single person and €1,200 per week for a couple.

On the single/couple differential from 1 January 2014, 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.

In that context, the over-70s income limit for a single person was reduced proportionately less than the income limit for a couple.