David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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641. 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 this would relate to in each category. [28738/25]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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644. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing medical card thresholds on par with GP visit card thresholds. [28741/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 644 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. 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, the information sought is not readily available and will need to be determined. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the Deputy directly with relevant information as soon as available.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing medical card threshold to the median income, for each household type, in tabular form; and the number of newly eligible households this would create.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28739/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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, the information sought is not readily available and will need to be determined. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the Deputy directly with relevant information as soon as available.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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643. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the medical card basic threshold by €5,000, €10,000, €15,000, €20,000, €25,000 and €30,000 per annum, in tabular form; and the estimated number of newly eligible people and households. [28740/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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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, the information sought is not readily available and will need to be determined. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the Deputy directly with relevant information as soon as available.