James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that his Department is taking to address medical card renewals and medical card assessments for those with lifelong/permanent mental disabilities, unable to independently apply for/renew their applications; if a process is available for these cases.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23696/24]

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. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.

The issue of granting medical cards on the basis of illness or a disability was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

Applications for a medical card and GP visit card can be made online at mymedicalcard.ie. This is the quickest method of getting the card. All of the required documentation that will assist in your application can also be uploaded along with the online application.

Application forms are also available from your local health centre or Local Health Office www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/lho/. for your area. The HSE strives to have an application process for medical cards which is as streamlined and straightforward as possible for all applicants. Assistance is therefore offered to persons completing application forms through the National Medical Card Unit and Local Health Offices if needed. Alternatively, an application form can be downloaded from the HSE’s website.

The HSE is also required to undertake periodic reviews of eligibility in order to ensure that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility. It is important to note that where any medical or GP visit card holder has a review process initiated, he/she will continue to retain his or her eligibility for the duration of the review process (typically three months).

Since December 2018, the medical card earnings disregard for people in receipt of Disability Allowance was increased from €120 to €427 per week and applies to the assessment process for single people and to family assessments. This significant policy change gave effect to an important recommendation of the Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities report. This substantial increase in allowable earnings acknowledges that a Medical Card is a particularly significant support and ensures that people with disabilities can continue to be supported to access care when needed.

Furthermore, people who have been on a disability payment for at least a year can retain a Medical Card for a further three years on return to work, provided they were in receipt of the payment for a period of at least 12 months prior to commencing employment.

I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.