Ms Laverne McGuinness:

In terms of the changes themselves, it is both for the over 70s and the under 70s as well. For the over 70s, there was a change in the income guidelines, from €700, if it was a single person, down to €600, but on the basis that if one was between €600 and €700, rather that get a medical card one could get a GP visit card. Then, for couples, it was double that - €1,200 and €1,400 - and the same rules applying in that one could get a GP visit card if one is within the €1,200 and €1,400 assessment.

In terms of the under 70s, we did say - we set it out in our service plan - that there would be a review of cards. There were two aspects on which that is being carried out. One is in terms of the reduction of what is known as the assessable income as part of the income guidelines, and it is the home-improvement loans. The other one was that the first €50 in regard to travel-to-work expenses and depreciation of cars be disallowed when making one's calculations in terms of whether or not one would be entitled to a medical card. That was set out in the service plan. It was over that period, the end of March, that the policy and the legislation to give effect to it was in train but we did flag it up. It was notified in that regard.

It is important to note that we did say that 100,000 new persons will be availing of medical cards this year. An additional 130,000 GP visit cards will be availed of this year as well.