Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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605. To ask the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to discontinue the highly insensitive practice of requesting parents to provide medical evidence confirming their children's diagnosis of Down syndrome for the review of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22176/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. The determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE and the HSE reserves the right to review eligibility at any point in time to confirm that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility.

Under the review process, applicants are not asked if they, or a family member, still has a lifelong condition or illness as medical cards are not awarded based on a medical condition and, in this regard, such like questions would be neither pertinent nor appropriate.

However, the HSE is obliged under the review process to ensure that full account is taken of any costs that a family may have that arise from a change in their circumstances, perhaps an exacerbation of an illness or a secondary illness. Any questions on change in circumstances refer to the resultant financial impact and do no not refer to a person still having the particular life-long condition or particular illness.

The HSE has a very structured protocol in place for the review process and makes every effort to ensure on-going engagement with clients during this process. If the HSE is made aware that a person has special needs, whether at application or review stage, assistance will be afforded to help that person complete the application whether at application stage or at review stage. The local health office can be contacted or LoCall 1890 252 919 to request this assistance.