John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1749. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introducing specific concessions or exemptions to the income thresholds for medical card eligibility for individuals employed in the mental health sector, particularly in view of the additional hours often required in these roles; the provisions that will allow such workers to increase their working hours without automatically losing access to a medical card or GP visit card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58290/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Eligibility for a Medical Card or GP Visit 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 or GP visit 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 or GP visit 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 or GP visit card. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/

Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:

• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.