Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Minister for Health if a parent or guardians of a child with a diagnosis of Bannayan Riley Ruvalcaba Syndrome may apply for a discretionary Medical Card solely in respect of the child they are caring for, as opposed to a household application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45076/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. The legislation obliges the HSE, when making a decision on a person's eligibility, to take account of the person's financial situation. In the case of a child, the parents’ income and reasonable expenditure is assessed.

Medical card applications are considered on the basis of an assessment of the applicant's means by reference to the HSE national assessment guidelines and national income guidelines. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.

Where an applicant’s means are above the qualifying financial thresholds, the HSE routinely examines for indications of medical or social circumstances which might result in undue financial hardship in arranging medical services and, exercising discretion, may grant eligibility for a medical card on this basis.

It is important to note that discretion is not a stand-alone exercise. Exercising discretion is an integral part of the assessment process for a medical card and there is no distinct application form.