Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce doctor-only medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15798/05]

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. This will include responsibility for the determination of eligibility of persons to GP visit cards.

In November 2004, I announced the intention of extending free access to general practitioner services under the General Medical Service scheme to up to an extra 200,000 persons. Free access to general practitioner services will be the only service available to holders of GP visit cards. Funding has been provided in 2005 for this measure and it is my intention that the required target can be met by the end of 2005. Regarding the GP visit cards, the Health Service Executive has put in place the necessary administrative arrangements for their introduction. A public information campaign will be commenced over the coming days, which will indicate the process to be followed by applicants to obtain application forms and to have their eligibility assessed by the HSE. In the first instance, the HSE will consider the applicants eligibility for a full medical card. A process of engagement with the contractor and staff representative bodies is ongoing and it is my intention to have GP visit cards available to persons on low income as quickly as possible.