Medical Cards

Thursday, 22 January 2026

Ceisteanna (84)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

84. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase medical card income limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4993/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

People 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 taken into account such as rent or mortgage costs. People aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs.

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 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.

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. There is a programme of work currently underway in my Department which is reviewing the existing eligibility framework, to clearly assess what is working well and to inform future policy proposals regarding the eligibility framework based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.