Questions

365. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the reason income limits for persons aged over 70 applying for a full medical card have not been revised in recent budgets; if she accepts that the current income thresholds are no longer reflective of the significant rises in the cost of living, energy, insurance, inflation and healthcare expenses; and if she will outline any plans to review these limits …

1036. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders currently waiting for dental appointments in County Laois, by age and waiting time, for end of October 2024 and end of October 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63122/25]

1069. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the grant allowance for a person with non-cancer related hair loss, who is in possession of a valid medical card and GP referral; and the level of support available, by county, in tabular form. [63276/25]

1110. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health her plans to extend the long-term illness card to include pulmonary fibrosis given it is available for persons with cystic fibrosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63666/25]

1002. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Health the specific types of blood tests that are covered by a medical card; the tests that are excluded; if her Department has issued guidance to GPs on the correct charging procedures for medical card holders in relation to blood tests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61406/25]

1102. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered the recent €10 increase in pension rates when determining the income threshold for qualifying for a medical card; if the threshold will be adjusted accordingly to reflect this increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61976/25]

423. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has taken steps to amend medical card eligibility to recognise clinically based eligibility with parity to income and automatically include cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60612/25]

481. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number entitled to a medical card; the uptake since eligibility was extended to those on a median income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60877/25]

1644. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current policy regarding charges for routine blood tests for medical card holders; if she is aware of any discrepancy between information provided by the HSE, which states that routine blood tests should be free of charge and guidance issued by an organisation (details supplied) which indicates that phlebotomy services for routine blood tests are not covered…

1673. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Health the areas in which it is not possible for medical card holders to get free access to vasectomies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58026/25]

1713. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health to consider making melatonin available through the general medical card for neurodiverse children to assist with sleeping; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58109/25]

1749. Deputy John Lahart asked 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 l…

1760. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health the average annual cost of providing a Health (Amendment) Act 2020 (HAA) card, per person; the number of people who have the HAA card as of the latest data available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58325/25]

1761. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Health the average annual cost of providing a medical card, per person; the number of people who have a medical card, as of latest data available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58326/25]

1762. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card can be awarded to all polio survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58331/25]

1791. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the case of a medical card application that was refused on means will be examined for a person (details supplied). [58581/25]

2036. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if all persons residing in Ireland under temporary protection from Ukraine are automatically issued medical cards; if there is any means-testing applied; the way in which this entitlement compares with the eligibility criteria for Irish citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59893/25]

2037. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she considers it fair and consistent with Irish and EU law that persons residing in Ireland under temporary protection from Ukraine are automatically issued medical cards, while Irish citizens are required to meet a means test; if any legal advice has been sought on whether this differential treatment constitutes discrimination on grounds of nationality or res…

2038. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will review the policy under which temporary protection recipients automatically receive medical cards, with a view to ensuring that taxpayers who have contributed to the health system are given equitable access to medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59895/25]

2039. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total annual cost to the Exchequer of issuing medical cards to persons under temporary protection from Ukraine; the expected duration of this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59896/25]

2054. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing a medical card specifically for ostomy patients to ensure access to necessary supplies. [59991/25]

741. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify whether a frontier worker, who is living in the North and working in the South, has an entitlement to a PCRS medical card; the criteria for obtaining this medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56559/25]

875. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current status of a medical card appeal for a person (details supplied); if serious consideration will be given to urgently awarding the medical card as the person is suffering from breast cancer and a medical card will be required for their treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57427/25]

173. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical card scheme does not cover the cost of providing a GP medical cert, which is a requirement for over 70-year-old applicants to a renew a driving licence (details supplied). [52388/25]

207. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Health to consider automatic qualification (removal of means test) for a medical card for lung fibrosis patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52553/25]