Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 249: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in possession of a medical card in each county. [1280/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The latest figures available from the Health Service Executive — shared services, primary care reimbursement service — are those for December 2004. The number of persons in possession of a medical card in each county is as follows:

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 250: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the 30,000 additional medical cards announced in December 2004 will be made available; when the 200,000 GP-visit cards will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1281/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 268: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the proposed new general practitioner cards will be introduced; the details of the income guidelines and other conditions which will apply to these cards; and the estimate of the number of beneficiaries. [1608/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 268 together.

Some €60 million has been provided for in the 2005 Estimates for health to improve access to primary care by providing for additional persons to become eligible for a medical card and free access to GP visits for those on low income. The medical card income guidelines were increased from 1 January 2005 by 7.5% generally and in specific regard to children the income allowance for each of the first two children was increased by 20% and for the third and subsequent children by 30%. It is estimated that this will increase the numbers eligible for medical cards by approximately 30,000 in a year.

Free access to general practitioner visits under the GMS scheme will be provided to individuals and families based on income guidelines which may be up to 25% in excess of the new medical card income guidelines. It is estimated that 200,000 persons will become eligible for free GP services under this initiative. Subject to clarifying legislative and administrative issues, the doctor visit card will be introduced as soon as possible in 2005. Income guidelines are shown in the following table.