Over-70s medical card eligibility
Willie O’Dea questions proposed income thresholds and asks how many older people may lose medical cards. The Taoiseach says the legislation is imminent, affected people will receive GP cards, and approximately 35,000 may be affected.
When does the Taoiseach expect to introduce legislation that will change the eligibility limits for the over-70s medical cards? I note that it is intended to reduce the threshold to €900 for married couples and €500 for a single person. The threshold for a married couple is usually double that of a single person, so why not in this case?
Comment on this
How many people in the over-70 category are expected to lose their medical cards as a result of these new guidelines?
Comment on this
I ask the Deputy to respect the fact that there are other Deputies waiting to put questions.
Comment on this
I am asking questions that the public are concerned about and want answers to.
Comment on this
The Deputy can ask as many questions as he likes but not on the Order of Business. The Deputy should deal only with legislation.
Comment on this
That legislation will be produced shortly. In respect of the numbers, anybody over 70 who loses a medical card will have access to a GP card. I cannot give the Deputy an accurate figure.