Laois councillor demands increase in medical card income limit

The startlingly low income limits to qualify for a medical card must be increased, a Laois councillor says.

A couple with one child is above the limit if they take home more than €342 as week, a limit not changed in 20 years they claim.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley who represents the Portlaoise Municipal District, has won the backing of Laois County Council to write to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asking for an immediate increase in Budget 2026.

"It's just so small. It hasn't been increased in over two decades. A single parent with one child getting social welfare of €294, is over the limit if they earn €50 a week or get it in maintenance. For four hours work their medical card is being taken off them. I can't understand this. 

"If you apply for a GP card only, the limit is €664. These threshold limits are so small. We've families paying €60 or €70 to go to the GP. Then they have to pay for bloods or medicines. I am calling on the Government to review these limits, in the run-up to the budget," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy seconded the motion.

"Twenty years is a long time. It's minimum €70 now to see a GP. People can't do it. They will try and do it for a child but what else goes by the wayside?" she said.

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The HSE say that the medical card income limit for a single person aged under 65 living alone is €184, or just €164 if they live with their family.  A couple or a single parent family under 65 with one child is €304. People aged over 70 qualify if their income is less than €550 a week. There are further allowances for expenses such as rent and travel to work.