Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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924. To ask the Minister for Health when the over 70 years of age threshold for the medical card will be increased as promised in Budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18127/20]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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942. To ask the Minister for Health when the enabling legislation raising the threshold for medical card eligibility for over 70 years of age will be in place. [18198/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 924 and 942 together.

The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was published on 1 July.  This Bill provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1,050 for a couple (currently €900 per week).  The Bill completed its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas on July 24th and is now being prepared for signature by the President.