John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure that the income guidelines for medical card applicants will increase to, at a minimum, reflect the increases in social protection in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35282/16]

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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175. To ask the Minister for Health if persons in receipt of a social protection payment, whose sole income is from social protection, will automatically qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35281/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 175 together.

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and therefore, the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.

If a person's only income is a means tested Social Welfare Allowance, he/she will qualify for a Medical Card.

There is a statutory obligation on the Minister to review annually the gross income limits for medical cards and GP visit cards for persons over the age of 70 years. Subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the gross income limits may be increased or decreased to reflect any increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index.