Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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49. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that wheelchair users with lifelong conditions often have to re-apply for entitlements such as medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56936/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Medical card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. It is for this reason that financial reassessments are carried out after a specified length of time. Separately, chronic long-term illnesses also require regular clinical reassessment by a medical professional.

The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold, which is the amount of money that an individual can earn in a week and still qualify for a card. It is also important to note that certain social welfare payments are not included in the means assessment for a medical card.  Where income is from a mix of social welfare payments and other sources, only some of the social welfare payments are assessed. In situations where a person’s sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this payment is in excess of the current income thresholds, the person will be awarded a medical 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 after taking account of allowable expenses. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, insurance, childcare, maintenance, nursing home costs. Further detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/file-library/medical-cards/medical-cards-national-assessment-guidelines.pdf.

The medical card assessment for those aged 70 or older 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, such as those arising from medication and/or nursing home fees. In addition, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.