Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of anecdotal reports of those with disabilities discontinuing employment to remain in receipt of a medical card and related care; if he is aware of data relating to such cases; the plans that have been put in place to empower and aid those who wish to stay in employment without the fear of losing a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I appreciate the importance of the medical card to people with disabilities and the value that is placed on it by the person and their family. I also recognise the importance of employment to people with disabilities and I am committed to supporting the participation of people with disabilities in the social and economic lives of their communities

Many individuals with intellectual, physical or mental health disabilities gain full-time or part-time employment in the open labour market and may still receive health-funded supports on an intermittent or continuing basis, depending on their individual needs and abilities.

Under the relevant legislation, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on residency and means and not on the basis of having a particular medical condition or disease. The Deputy will be aware of the publication of the Report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibilityand the Medical Card Process Reviewin November 2014. A key recommendation of the Expert Panel was that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card.

However, the Government recognises that the health service needs to be responsive to the circumstances of people with significant medical needs. Following publication of the two reports in November 2014, the Minister for Health and I announced a series of measures to enhance the operation of the medical card scheme and make it more sensitive to people’s needs, especially where serious illness is involved.

Where deemed appropriate in particular circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card even though an applicant's means exceed the prescribed threshold. Where a person does not qualify for a medical card, they may be provided with a GP Visit Card, appropriate therapy or other community supports or drugs.