Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of introducing an automatic entitlement to a medical card for all persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53489/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. On November 1, 2020 the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over was increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple.

The high level cost of removing the over 70s medical card income thresholds and thus introducing automatic medical card eligibility for all persons aged 70 and over is estimated to be in excess of €200m. This is based on approximately 138,000 additional persons qualifying for the medical card,(i.e. the number of non-medical card holders currently aged 70 and over) by the average cost of the medical card which is offset by the current cost of a GP visit card which all person aged 70 and over are automatically eligible for. However, a more detailed examination of this measure supported by a robust costing analysis would be required to provide a more accurate estimation.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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156. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the weekly gross income limit for the over 70s medical card for single persons and couples by €50, €100, €150 and €200, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53490/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. Any revision to the income thresholds has regard for Government policy, increases in the Consumer Price Index and other issues which may be relevant.

With regard to the estimated cost of reducing the weekly gross income thresholds for medical cards for persons aged 70 and over, this information is not readily available at this time. However to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, it should be noted that my Department keeps medical card issues such as existing income thresholds under regular review.

Furthermore, it should be noted that on November 1, 2020 the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over was increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple, ensuring that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.