Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons covered by medical cards; the percentage which this represents; and the number of prescriptions issued in 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005. [18891/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patient visits, prescriptions issued and population cover under the medical card scheme in each of the years 1998 to 2005. [18893/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together.

The number of persons covered by medical cards since 1998 to date in 2005 is set out in the following table:

The statistics requested by the Deputy concerning the number of patient visits is not kept by my Department. GMS general practitioners receive a capitation fee for each medical card patient on their panel. This annual capitation amount is payable to the general practitioner regardless of the number of consultations involved. Statistics on the number of visits are not currently collected for this group of general practitioners. However, a small group of general practitioners, 18, in 2003 are paid on a fee per item basis. Information in the 2003 GMS, payments, board annual report suggests an overall visiting rate for patients of these doctors of 10.97 visits in 2003.

Information regarding the number of prescriptions issued is not collected by my Department. Information relating to the number of prescriptions dispensed is contained in the following table and is based on the most recent information available in the 2003 annual report of the HSE, Primary Care Reimbursement Services, former GMS payments board.

Figures in respect of the number of prescriptions dispensed in 2004 and to date in 2005 are not yet available. However, my Department has referred the matter to the HSE for investigation and direct reply.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with medical card cover aged 70 and over in 2000, 2004 and to date in 2005; and the average cost of medical card cover for persons aged 70 and over compared to those aged under 70 in each of the respective years. [18892/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Information in respect of the number of persons with medical card cover aged 70 years and over in 2000 was not collected. However, following the decision to introduce automatic eligibility for a medical card for all persons aged 70 and over, from July 2001, statistical information is available from June 2001, and is set out in the following table for the relevant dates:

The figures requested by the Deputy concerning the average cost of a medical card for persons aged 70 years and over are not readily available in my Department. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief executive officer of the HSE primary care reimbursement service to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.