ENTITLEMENTS
Republic of Ireland
Infant Care Services
The GP who attends the mother also provides care for
the new-born baby. This entails two developmental exams
during the first 6 weeks following the birth, that are
free of charge. The baby's entitlement to free GP services
depends on whether the parents have a medical card. This
means that visits to the GP for any conditions related
to the baby's health during this six week period or afterwards
are not covered by the scheme unless the parents have
a medical card.
The public health nurse visits the mother and baby
at home during the first 6 weeks.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/womens_health/maternity_and_infant_welfare_services.html
Charges in public hospitals
If you are in a public ward under the care of a consultant
for treatment and you remain overnight, you are receiving
in-patient services.
If you are admitted to the hospital under the care
of a consultant where you do not require the use of a
bed overnight and your discharge from hospital is planned,
you are receiving day services.
The charge does not apply to the following groups:
medical card holders
Children up to six weeks of age, children suffering
from prescribed diseases and disabilities
In cases of excessive hardship, a health board may
provide the service free of charge.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/hospitals/hospital_charges.html
Community Health Services
Following the birth, your public health nurse will
visit you and your child at home, usually within 48 hours
of discharge from hospital and make other visits as necessary.
Public health nurses provide both general health and
specific developmental advice to parents and monitor
the development of the child.
A developmental examination is offered to every child
by the Area Medical Officer at approximately 9 months,
by appointment, in the local health centre. This examination
covers all aspects of the child's development, including
hearing, sight, language development, physical development,
etc, and is offered to infants irrespective of the family's
income.
Problems that are identified at this examination may
be treated free of charge at out-patient hospital departments
and any subsequent treatment is free as a public patient.
Most health boards offer additional doctor and public
health nurse appointment clinics for those parents who
have concerns about their child's development.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/childrens_health/health_services_for_preschool_children.html
Medical Cards in Ireland
Persons are entitled to a medical
card where they are unable, without undue hardship,
to arrange for the provision of medical services for
themselves or their dependents. In determining eligibility,
the local health board.will have regard to the financial
circumstances, and medical needs of the applicant.
In this regard, income guidelines have been drawn up
for health boards to assist in deciding a person’s eligibility. However, even in circumstances
when your income exceeds the guidelines, you may be still
eligible for a medical card if your baby requires excessive
amount of medical services. In all cases, the decision
is a matter for the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant
health board. You should apply for this card as soon
as posssible after the baby’s birth.
Persons who qualify for a medical card are
entritled to:
Perscribed drugs and medicines free of charge
Free general medical practioner services, with a choice
of doctor.
Hospital in-patient and out-patient services.
Free consultancy services.
The services of a social worker.
Dental, Optical and Oral services.
Aids and appliances for home use (oxygen, feeding tubes,
suction machine etc).
These can usually be arranged through the hospital
or your local Public Health Nurse.
Free Travel vouchers may be available to visit children
with intellectual disabilty who are in residential centres
or in hospital for comparatively long periods. Application
should be be made to your local health board.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/health_services_in_ireland/medical_card.html
Long-Term Illness Scheme
If you are suffering from one of a list of prescribed
diseases or disabilities, includind mental handicap,
you are entitled to the drugs, medicines and medical
and surgical aids and appliances prescribed for that
disease free of charge.
If your doctor certifies that you are suffering from
one of these designated long-term illnesses or disabilities,
you are given a prescription booklet that contains details
of the type and quantity of drugs prescribed for you.
The booklet also contains a number of detachable prescriptions.
You may present this booklet to any pharmacist, who will
supply the prescribed items. You do not have to use the
same pharmacist all the time.
Community Drugs Scheme
Non-medical card holders and people with conditions
not covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme can use the
Drugs Payment Scheme. Under the scheme, no individual
or family unit pays more than 78 euro per calendar month
towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/health_services_in_ireland/prescribed_drugs_and_medicines.html
Domiciliary Care Allowance
The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly means tested
payment made to the carer of a child with a severe disability
who lives at home.
The child must need substantially more constant care
and attention than a child of the same age who does not
have a disability.
Eligibility for the allowance is determined primarily
by the degree of additional care and attention needed
by the child rather than the type of disability involved,
subject to the means test.. Medical assessment is carried
out by the Senior Area Medical Officer in the relevant
health board.
Pro rata payment
Children who are being cared for on a full time basis
in residential homes or other institutions are not eligible
for the allowance. However, children in residential care
who go home at weekends or holidays may receive a pro
rata payment based on a per nightly rate (nightly rate
is equal to the monthly rate multiplied by 12 and divided
by 365). The allowance is continued in cases where children
who normally live at home are absent for a period or
periods of not more than 8 continuous weeks.
The means test
The means test applies only to the means of the child
and not the means of the carer or carers. If the child
has means above the level of the allowance, then no allowance
is payable. If the child receives a compensation payment
as a result of an accident or injury, this will be taken
into account. Entitlement to child benefit is not affected
and a person may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or
Carer's Allowance if he/she meets the other conditions.
The person is also eligible for a Respite Care Grant,
which is paid automatically each year during the month
of June.
Your child may be entitled to free nappies at discretion
of the health board
Apply to your local health board.
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/health_related_benefits_and_entitlements/domiciliary_care_allowance.html
Bereavement Grant
A Bereavement Grant is a payment based on PRSI contributions
which is payable on the death of a child under age 18
. The Bereavement Grant is a once off payment.
The scheme replaces the former Death Grant Scheme.
Apply to Department of Social and Family Affairs (DFSCA
or Social Welfare)
http://www.welfare.ie/schemes/bereaved/bereav.html
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
A weekly supplement may be paid towards special dietary
or heating needs.
Apply to Department of Social and Family Affairs (DFSCA
or Social Welfare)
http://www.welfare.ie/schemes/families/swa.html
Private Medical Insurance
If you have private medical insurance
such as VHI, BUPA – your
baby is automatically included in your policy. However
inform them within a reasonable time of baby’s
birth. If you choose private treatment, you will be liable
for consultant and hospital fees.
Incapacitated Child Tax Credit
Details of this special tax free allowance is available
from your tax office oe the inspector of taxes who deals
with your tax affairs.
http://www.revenue.ie/
Medical Expenses
A tax refund is available for money
spent on additional medical expenses not covered by
long term illness scheme. Expenses include doctor’s
bills, drugs, supply and repair of medical and surgical
appliances used on medical advise and nursing home
expenses. You should complete the special claim form
MED 1 at the end of the tax year.
http://www.revenue.ie/
Home Improvement Grants
A grant may be given where an extra room or other structural
changes are necessary for the accommodation of a child
with disabilities.
Apply to your local health board
Payment for Disabled Passengers
Parents caring for a severely and permanently disabled
child who buy or adapt a car for their use may be entitled
to claim
Exemption from motor tax and vehicle registration tax
Refund of VAT
Refund of duty paid on petrol / diesel (subject to a
maximum of 600 gallons per year.
Further information from
Disabled Drivers Section
Central Repayments Office
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Coolshannagh
Co. Monaghan
Tel: 047 82800
The Disabled Drivers Association provides advise on
aids and adaptation of cars.
Northern Ireland
Every baby/child gets complete free medical care until
age of 16 years or after (depending on circumstances).
Everybody is allocated a Health Visitor after registering
with a General Practioner. The Health Visitor introduces
a Social Worker and gradually all other experts and professionals
get involved e.g. Department of Education, Occupational
Therapist, Physiotherapist.
Aids and equipment are supplied as needed.
For further information on your entitlements contact
the Disability Living Allowance Branch and The Family
Fund (U.K.)
http://www.ssani.gov.uk/
Useful Website Links
http://www.welfare.ie/
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/
http://www.revenue.ie/
http://www.irlgov.ie/
http://www.disability.ie/
http://www.ssani.gov.uk/
This information is intended as a guide only and does
not purport to be a legal interpretation.
