Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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 information is available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. 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.

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 under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1480. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the new thresholds for GP cards and associated childcare costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12876/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As provided for under the GP Agreement 2023, means tested eligibility for a GP visit card was fully expanded to those who earn up to the median household income from 13 November 2023. It is important to note that means testing takes into consideration the number of dependents the applicant has as well as certain allowable expenses.

To provide for this expansion, the basic rates which are used in determining an individual's qualifying weekly financial threshold for eligibility for a GP visit card were increased to:

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

• the basic rate - an amount of money based on your age and household, as set out above;
• an amount allocated for each dependent; and
• an amount allocated for allowable expenses (for example, rent, mortgage payments, childcare costs, etc.).