Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of increasing each of the income limits for the general practitioner visit card by €5 and €10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14702/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

With regard to the estimated cost of increasing the weekly income thresholds for GP visit cards, this information is not readily available at this time. I wish to assure the Deputy that the current medical card income thresholds are kept under regular review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.