Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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630. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the increase in income threshold for those over 70 years of age to access medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23288/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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728. To ask the Minister for Health if the increased means test for those over 70 years of age has been implemented. [23711/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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741. To ask the Minister for Health when the proposed increase in the medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23772/20]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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747. To ask the Minister for Health when the order will be signed to allow the proposed increase in the weekly gross medical card income limits for those over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/20]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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855. To ask the Minister for Health if he has signed the commencement order of higher thresholds for medical cards for persons over 70 years of age. [24144/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 728, 741, 747 and 855 together.

The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020, enacted on 2nd August 2020, provided for an increase to the gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person and to €1,050 per week for a couple.

Although it had been originally intended that this measure would be implemented from July this year, it was not possible to legislate for the necessary amendments to the 1970 Health Act to provide for this measure until there was a fully constituted Dáil and Seanad.

While the relevant section providing for the increased limits has not yet been commenced, I can assure the Deputy that the associated funding requirements and potential implementation date are being actively considered.