Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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682. To ask the Minister for Health based on the current income thresholds, the number of persons over the age of 70 who do not qualify for a general practitioner visit card; the cost of extending entitlement to a GP visit card to all persons over the age of 70; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32420/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the most recent census of population was held in 2011 and there is no requirement for persons to register with the HSE or its Primary Care Reimbursement Service it is not possible to be exact on the number of persons currently aged 70 years and older who do not have a medical card or a general practitioner visit card. Based on a 2013 estimate of population from the CSO it is estimated that approximately 9 out of every 10 persons over the age of 70 years are eligible for either of a medical card or a general practitioner visit card. The policy and the associated costs of the second phase of the universal GP service to provide GP care to all persons over the age of 70 years is currently being considered by Government.