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. The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. Medical card holders are eligible for a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, public in-patient services in public hospitals, public hospital out-patient services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services. Apart from prescribed drugs and medicines, which are subject to a prescription charge, public health services are provided free of charge to medical card holders.

Government has previously approved the provision of health services and supports (sometimes referred to as “enhanced medical card”) in certain specific circumstances, for example the Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which are provided to defined groups in acknowledgement of circumstances experienced while resident in relevant institutions.

There is relevant legislation in each case, for example the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act) and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023, which make provision for a range of primary and community health services in Ireland for eligible persons who qualify under each Scheme, including general practitioner services, acute inpatient services, drugs, medicines and surgical appliances, nursing services, home help services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services.