Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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724. To ask the Minister for Health if the higher income threshold for eligibility to a medical card for over 70s introduced in Budget 2020 has been applied; if not, when it will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24854/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.