Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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664. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to increase medical card thresholds in line with the recently announced increase in social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49726/22]

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 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account, i.e., mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.

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.

However, I can advise the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues, including the current medical card income thresholds under review and any changes that may be required are considered in the context of Government policy, and other issues which may be relevant.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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665. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to remove carer’s payments from the income calculations for over 70s medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49727/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.