Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 624 and 627 together.

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.

The current medical card thresholds are outlined below:

• Single person living alone under 66: €184.00
• Single person living alone 66-69: €201.50
• Single person living with family under 66: €164.00
• Single person living with family 66-69: €173.50
• Couple, married/cohabiting/civil partners, one parent family under 66: € 266.50
• Couple, married/cohabiting/civil partners, one parent family 66-69: € 298.00

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. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in 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 €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card. 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.

As provided for under the GP Agreement 2023, the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all children aged 6 and 7 years commenced from the 11th of August. The expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all people who earn the median household income or less is underway and will be completed in two phases, the first commenced 11th of September 2023, and the second starting 13th of November 2023.

From the 13th of November 2023, the qualifying weekly financial thresholds for a GP visit card will be:

• Single person living alone aged up to 69: €418
• Single person living with family: €373
• Married or cohabiting couple with or without dependents: €607
• Lone parent: €607

All children under 8 years of age and Persons aged 70 years and over are eligible for a GP visit card on the basis of their age. No changes are made under the GP Agreement 2023 in relation to the current qualifying weekly financial thresholds for a medical card.

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, including the current medical card income thresholds, under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.