James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

283. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to update the medical card application form to include payment of local property tax or water charges as outgoings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8096/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Health Act 1970, as amended, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for assessing an individual's entitlement to a medical card and a GP visit card. Section 45 of the Act provides that adult persons who, in the opinion of the HSE are unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependents are deemed to be persons with full eligibility.

The HSE has set out National Assessment Guidelines outlining what is included in the assessment process and the Local Property Tax or the Water Charges are not included. There are no proposals at present to include either as deductible expenses in determining eligibility for medical cards.