Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care.

The Department of Social Protection administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/

www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/.

In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:

• Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or
• Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.

There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at:

www.cru.ie/consumer-information/your-rights/vulnerable-customers/.

In Budget 2023, every household in Ireland received three €200 energy credits, totalling €600. These payments were made between November 2022 and April 2023.

Budget 2024 announced that three further energy credits of €150 each will be paid to households over the coming months.

There are also a range of Health Service Executive (HSE) administered schemes that assist individuals in meeting their medical costs.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.

In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.

In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines who are not eligible for a medical card.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.