Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Health the implications the new means rate for carer’s allowance will have on medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38458/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each 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. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.

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

Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of any difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card or GP visit card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult social or financial circumstances.

If a person's sole income is derived from a social welfare payment a medical card will be awarded. Carer’s Allowance is not included in the assessment process for a medical card however Carer’s Benefit may be included in the assessment where a person has income from other sources.

Furthermore, since September 2018, persons in receipt of either full or half rate Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit receive automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.

I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.