The Programme for Government commits to:
Indexing the income thresholds for medical cards to increases in the average industrial wage;
Doubling of the income limit eligibility of parents of children under 6 years of age, and trebling them for parents of children under 18 years of age with an intellectual disability;
Implementation of an annual publicity campaign and making applications easier so as to increase uptake amongst those who are eligible for medical cards and GP visit cards;
Allowing people with disabilities to work without losing key essential medical card cover after 3 years.
My Department is at present considering the steps required to enable these commitments to be implemented. This work includes consideration of the timescale for implementation and the costs involved.