David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2050.To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of equalising medical card thresholds with GP card thresholds, in tabular form; and the number of people to which this would relate, in each category. [31216/24]

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. Current medical card income thresholds can be considered generally in terms of cohorts aged 70 or older, and under 70 years of age, with separate thresholds and assessment criteria for each.

With regard to the estimated cost of the deputy's proposals officials from my Department will be in further contact with the Deputy directly with relevant information as soon as available.