Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the entitlements of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 by virtue of the full medical card, the over 70 medical card and the doctor only medical card schemes; the differences between the first and second and the first and third schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14343/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.

People who hold medical cards, including all those aged 70 and over, are entitled to free general practitioner medical and surgical services under the GMS scheme and may also avail of a range of approved prescribed drugs and medicines from community pharmacies.

The doctor visit card entitles people to free general practitioner medical and surgical service under the GMS scheme. People with this card will not be entitled to free drugs and medicines but they will be entitled to avail of drugs and medicines under the drugs payment scheme which ensures that no person or family unit pays in excess of €85 per calendar month.