Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increase the threshold for the over 70s medical card to ensure that the increases in social welfare payments are not negated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53766/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The HSE assesses each 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 and is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

Regarding persons aged 70 or older, the medical card assessment is based on gross income. The weekly gross income thresholds for eligibility to a medical card for those aged 70 and over were increased in November 2020 and are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. However, It should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.

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. The means assessment determines an applicant’s eligibility allowing for taking account of one’s eligible expenses from their income. Given that this is a net assessment, it means that where one’s income or allowable expenses change there will be an impact on the decision about one’s eligibility. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, insurance, childcare, maintenance, nursing home costs, (detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/file-library/medical-cards/medical-cards-national-assessment-guidelines.pdf).

It is important to note that certain social welfare payments are not included in the means assessment for a medical card. Changes to the rates in Budget 2023 include changes to these non-assessed payments and, therefore, changes will not have any bearing on the outcome of a medical card assessment. For other social welfare payments that are assessed as income for a medical card, it is noted that the increase in the rates in Budget 2023 would not be expected to make a substantial difference to the outcome of the assessment process.

I can assure 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 are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.