Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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564. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated amount it would cost to provide medical cards to all those 80 years of age and above; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44726/22]

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.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. On 1 November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.

With regard to the estimated cost of the deputy's proposals, the data required to model this is not readily available and it is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the associated cost.

I can advise the Deputy that it is vitally important that the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. In that regard, my Department keeps medical card issues, including existing thresholds under review and any changes that may be required are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.