Written answers

Thursday, 10 October 2019

Department of Health

Medical Card Eligibility

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the eligibility limit for those over 70 years of age applying for a medical card from a reduction that was implemented in 2014 and has not being raised to date to €500 for a single person over 70 years of age and €900 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41478/19]

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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188. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the eligibility limit for those over 80 years of age applying for a medical card from a reduction that was implemented in 2014 and has not being raised to date to €500 for a single person over 80 years of age and €900 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41479/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.

As announced in Budget 2020, medical card gross income limits for those over 70 will be increased to €550 per week for a single person aged over 70 (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 for a couple aged over 70 (currently €900 per week).

These increases to the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older will apply from July 2020.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 22 January 2019, the conclusions by the HSE into the effect on whether the yearly increase of social welfare payments has adversely affected those over 70 and 80 years of age and their ability to qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41480/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It would always be the Government's intention that people's ability to qualify for a medical card would not be adversely affected by any increases in social welfare payments. The HSE continuously monitors the medical card scheme and would advise the Department if it considers that changes in the rates of social welfare payments may affect people's ability to qualify for a medical card.

It should also be noted that the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older are reviewed and considered annually in the context of the Budget and the Consumer Price Index.

In that regard, I am very pleased that Budget 2020 will provide for an increase in the gross income limits for medical cards for the over 70's. The revised income limits are €550 per week for a single person over 70 (currently €500) and €1050 per week for a married couple over 70 (currently €900). These increases to the gross medical card income limits for persons aged 70 or older will apply from July 2020.

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