Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

336. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of all secondary entitlements associated with medical cards; the total cost of each entitlement; the average secondary cost of a medical card, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants’ services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, and maternity and infant care service.

It is acknowledged that medical card holders have access to some broader services beyond health service however, my Department does not hold information in relation to those schemes or the secondary costs arising.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on residency and means under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange a particular service which is available to persons with full eligibility, for themselves and family can qualify for full eligibility (a medical card). The HSE awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and assesses applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner.

Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of any difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card or GP visit card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult social or financial circumstances.

It is also important to note that if a person's sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this payment is in excess of the current income thresholds, a medical card will be awarded.

I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review, including in relation to current medical card income thresholds.